Olympian Carlton Bruner Joins Ashland University Swim & Dive Coaching Staff

Courtesy: Ashland Athletics

The terms “Ashland University athletics” and “Olympics” have been quite symmetrical over the years.

The Eagles’ head track and field coach, Jud Logan, was a four-time Olympian. Former AU All-American pole vaulter Katie Nageotte recently won her first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, and Carlin Isles, who competed in both football and track and field as an Eagle, was on Team USA’s Rugby team at the most recent Games.

And now, former American Olympian Carlton Bruner has joined Ashland’s swimming and diving program as an assistant coach. Bruner, who was a member of Team USA in 1996 for the Atlanta Summer Games, comes to the Eagles following coaching stints at Savannah College of Art and Design (2019-21), Dynamo Swim Club in Georgia (2000-03) and Eastern Michigan (1996-98).

“I’m very proud of what I achieved,” Bruner said of his time on Team USA. “I had to work really hard. Any athlete does, to get to that level. It’s an honor to be on a staff with other former Olympians in other sports. That (the gold medal) was awesome. It’s great for the school, and it’s great for all the athletes here, because that recognition brings undefined dividends down the road. With that, if I can get someone to believe more what I have to say or what I am talking about, and they buy into it quicker, because I have ‘Olympian’ next to my name, I’ll use it any day.

“There’s a lot that I can contribute. With my history in the sport, I’ve seen myself as a swimmer all my life. I’ve been very lucky and blessed to be around some of the world’s best athletes, and the best coaches. I’ve always observed and been very curious about what they do and what makes that swimmer tick, and why they are better than everyone else and how they got there. My goal is to give back as much as I can to the swimmers here, and I think that that’s going to hopefully get them to their next level.”

“Carlton’s been in the swimming world for a while,” said Ashland head swimming and diving coach Kyle Walthall, entering his third season at the Eagles’ helm. “He definitely knows his way around not only the pool, but the swimmers in it. Combined, we’re definitely going to be able to give them the coaching they deserve and need.”

Bruner is a five-time national champion in the men’s 1,500-meter freestyle, and was a five-time All-American at the University of Florida.

Following a shortened 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Walthall is looking for a return to NCAA Division II nationals for his top performers, as well as looking ahead to the first season in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.

“We are always focused on sending kids to nationals. That’s the No. 1 goal,” Walthall said. “This year, being in the GMAC, we’re also focusing on conference a little more aggressively than we have in the past. But the goal is always nationals.

“Carlton coming in with depths of knowledge and expertise…we’re both looking forward to working together to get these kids there.”