Krysta Palmer Named Head Diving Coach At Nevada

Courtesy: Nevada Athletics

RENO, Nev. – Wolf Pack All-American and 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Krysta Palmer has been named Nevada’s next diving coach, Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe and Swimming and Diving head coach Brendon Bray announced Monday.

Palmer has spent the past eight seasons (2017-24) as Nevada’s assistant diving coach under Jian Li You, who announced her retirement in February after 29 years at the helm. Over her time on staff with You, Palmer has helped oversee Nevada divers win 32 medals, including 14 gold, at the Mountain West Championships, along with two divers (Sharae Zheng, Melissa Mirafuentes) earn All-America status at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.

“When one Nevada diving legend retires, another steps up—and how fortunate we are to continue the lineage of our program with Krysta Palmer taking the reins. As one of our most-decorated divers and an Olympic medalist, Krysta was the natural choice to carry on the legacy of Nevada Diving,” Rempe said. “Her time spent on the coaching staff under Jian Li You, and her experience at the collegiate and international levels has prepared Krysta for this moment, and we are thrilled that she will remain home in northern Nevada leading the Wolf Pack diving program into its next chapter.”

Palmer joined the Nevada staff in summer 2016 as volunteer assistant upon the end of her collegiate diving career, one which saw her graduate among the most decorated divers in Wolf Pack history. The Gardnerville native was twice named Mountain West Diver of the Year (2015-16), captured four Mountain West gold medals and nine total, and, through the 2025 conference meet, is one of just three divers to sweep all three events (1-Meter Springboard, 3-Meter Springboard, Platform) at the Mountain West Championships.

“I am incredibly honored to step into this coaching position, where I can give back, inspire, and uplift the next generation of Nevada Swimming and Diving student athletes,” Palmer said. “This feels like a full-circle moment for me, returning to the place where I fell in love with diving. Working alongside Jian Li You has been an amazing experience. I know I have big shoes to fill, but Jian Li has equipped me with the tools I need to embrace this leadership role. This sport and the University of Nevada have given me so much, and I am excited to share my passion and experience to help guide the next generation of divers.”

“We are so excited to have Krysta join our program now as our dive coach. As a student, post-grad, NCAA qualifier, Mountain West champion and Olympic medalist, Krysta has always represented our program and community in an absolute first-class manner and now has the opportunity to turn the page and start a new chapter in a new role serving as our diving coach. We are looking forward to continuing to improve and keep our program at a championship level with her in this new position. Go Pack!” said Bray.

Her diving career continued to ascend since graduation. At the 2017 FINA World Championships, Palmer helped lead the United States to a bronze medal in the mixed 3-meter/10-meter team event, which was the first medal Team USA obtained at the championships.

Palmer qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team in 2021 ahead of the Tokyo Games and competed on 3-Meter Springboard Synchro and 3-Meter Springboard. On the latter, Palmer captured the bronze medal, marking Team USA’s first diving medal since the 2000 Sydney Games and first on 3-Meter since the 1988 Seoul Games.

“In Krysta Palmer, we have the perfect person to lead our diving program into the future. Krysta is a tremendous teacher, motivator and communicator, recognized the world over as one of the most dynamic and respected individuals in the sport. We look forward to this Wolf Pack great leading our program to even greater heights,” said University President Brian Sandoval.

Her international career also includes a bronze medal in the mixed team event at the 2018 World Cup, national titles in platform women’s synchro (2016 with Tarin Gilliland), 3-meter women’s synchro (2019 with Alison Gibson), and 3-meter mixed synchro (2023 with Jack Ryan), and gold in 3-meter synchro at the 2019 FINA USA Grand Prix.

Prior to the start of her diving career in 2012, Palmer participated in gymnastics for seven years and trampoline for eight years, before injuries prevented her from continuing to compete on the trampoline. While on the U.S. National Trampoline Team, she finished second in the nation during the 2009 season after winning the national championship on the trampoline in that same season.

Palmer is a 2016 graduate of the University of Nevada, earning a degree in kinesiology.