LARAMIE, Wyo. (9/22/25) – University of Wyoming swimming and diving head coach Dave Denniston announced a pair of additions to his coaching staff on Monday. He promoted Sydney Buckley-Murdock from part-time to full time assistant coach and hired former Wyoming swimmer Kellen Chadderdon as an assistant coach/director of operations.
 
"We were in a unique situation with Coach Kristin Walker leaving, where we weren't quite sure what our structure was going to look like for our coaching staff," Denniston said. "We did a thorough national search, and there were some great coaches and recruiters that showed interest. But at the end of the day, what we [the coaching staff] came up with is that there's people that have been involved with our program for the last three, four or five years that understand who we are as a team, understand how I operate, and really have a shared passion and love for Wyoming and our program."
 
"I think Sydney and Kellen have the foundation of really building more on what we want to see out of our swimmers and divers and making sure that the culture is at the core of it. So, the fact that they are already fully bought in and love this program, made it an easy choice for us to be able to teach and grow through coaching and recruiting."
 
Buckley-Murdock has been part of the Wyoming swimming and diving coaching staff since 2022, first starting as a volunteer assistant before being bumped up to a part-time coach in 2023. 
 
Buckley-Murdock has made various coaching stops over the years. Before Wyoming, she was the head coach of the Colorado Torpedoes Swim Team in Manitou Springs, Colorado, for three years.
 
Prior to that stop, Buckley-Murdock was a volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, North Texas, for one season. She graduated from UNT with a degree in accounting where she was a student-athlete on the swimming and diving team.
 
"I'm honored to take on a larger role with Wyoming swimming and diving," Buckley-Murdock said. "Wearing the brown and gold means representing the state of Wyoming, and I take great pride in that. This program has a strong legacy and a bright future, and I am eager to help push it to the next level. Go Pokes!"
 
Chadderdon joins Denniston's staff after graduating from and concluding his swimming career at UW this past spring. A Casper, Wyoming native, Chadderdon started out as a walk-on with the men's swimming and diving team but over his five years grew into a leader and mainstay for the Cowboys.
 
"I was blessed to compete as a Cowboy for five years and I'm very excited about my new role," Chadderdon said. "Being a Cowboy is about grit, pride and hard work, and I can't wait to give everything I have to this team. I'm grateful to Coach Dave, the coaching staff and athletes for welcoming me back. This team has big things coming. I am beyond thrilled to be a part of that journey and help push this program forward."
 
The Pokes open the season with the Brown and Gold Intrasquad Meet on Friday, September 26 at Corbett Pool at 5:30 p.m. The Brown, Gold and Old Alumni Meet will commence the next morning at 9 a.m. in Corbett Pool. This weekend will host the last-ever meets in Corbett Pool before the swimming and diving program moves into the new Aquatics Facility in 2026.