LARAMIE, Wyo. (May 23, 2019) -- University of Wyoming head swimming and diving coach Dave Denniston announced the addition of Kristin Walker to the UW coaching staff on Thursday. Walker will officially start on Monday, June 3.
 
"Kristin will be a great overall fit for our program," Denniston said. "She brings a fresh and contagious energy to the pool deck, as well as some great ideas for training and recruiting. Being a former college athlete herself, she is someone the current swimmers can relate to.  I know the entire team and coaching staff is looking forward to working with Kristin next season."
 
Walker comes to Wyoming after spending the three previous seasons with the Georgia Southern women's swimming and diving program as an assistant coach. While with the Eagles, she assisted with recruitment, coordinating travel and managing practice schedules.

She was a recipient of the CSCAA's 2019 Jean Freeman scholarship. The Jean Freeman Scholarship is given annually to six collegiate assistant coaches whose exceptional contributions have brought recognition to their institution, and whose leadership, integrity, honesty, competitive attitude and personal graciousness epitomize those characteristics reflected by Jean Freeman.

"I am so thankful to Dave Denniston for this opportunity and am very excited to continue my coaching career as part of the Wyoming family," Walker said. "It will be an honor to join this coaching staff and work with such talented student-athletes, and I look forward to continuing to grow while contributing to this remarkable program and University."

During the summer of 2018, she worked with Dennis Pursley's coaching staff during Alabama's Rising Tide swim camp. Previously, she has worked with the women's swimming coaching staff under Casey Converse and Colleen Murphy during U.S. Air Force Academy summer sports camps. She has also served as an assistant coach with Altitude Performance swim team, a competitive swim club in Colorado Springs under Mike Stromberg.

Walker was a four-year letterwinner at the University of New Mexico under head coach Kunio Kono from 2012-2016. She was a member of four Mountain West Conference championship teams. She was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and served as Team Captain during her senior season. A four-time Scholar Athlete, Walker graduated with bachelor degrees in Speech & Hearing Sciences and Psychology in May of 2016.

A breaststroker, Walker was awarded Most Improved Athlete in 2014, and voted Most Inspirational Athlete in 2016. Additionally, she broke the UNM school record in the 200 yard breaststroke. 

Walker graduated from Air Academy High School in 2012 where she was the school's most valuable athlete from 2010-2012.  She was also graduated as the Rotary Champion in women's swimming in 2012.

From Colorado Springs, Colo, she recently earned her master's degree at Georgia Southern in Special Education.