Kristen Simms was hired as the head diving coach for the Rider University swimming and diving teams in September of 2018.
In the 2024-25 season, the men finished fifth and women ninth at MAAC Championships. On the men's side, the Broncs swept the Diving awards with Stavros Xantheas being named MAAC Diver of the Meet and Steven Figueroa earning MAAC Rookie Diver of the Meet honors.
Rider's streak came to an end in 2023-24 with the men finishing third at the MAAC Championships and the women placing eighth.
The men’s team made it 11 in a row in 2022-23, earning Head Coach Steve Fletcher another MAAC men’s Swimming Coach of the Year. On the women’s side, Karyn Creelman earned MAAC Rookie Diver of the Meet. Simms had another NCAA Zone qualifier as Sean Binning represented the Broncs at the meet.
Returning from the COVID-19 pandemic, Fletcher led the Rider men to a tenth-straight MAAC Championship in 2021-22, earning MAAC Men’s Coach of Year honors. Sean Binning led the Broncs at the meet, earning MAAC Rookie Diver and Most Outstanding Diver of the Meet.
In 2019-20, the Rider men won a ninth-straight MAAC Championship and the women's team placed fifth. Fletcher was named MAAC Men's Coach of the Year for the ninth time. Justin Carey was named MAAC Swimmer of the Year and Dillon Walles earned MAAC Diver of the Year honors. Matt Lequang claimed MAAC Swimming Rookie of the Meet. Simms was named MAAC Diving Coach of the Year as well for the second-straight season.
In 2018-19, the Rider men captured their eighth straight MAAC Championship and the women's team finished in third place. Fletcher was honored once again as the MAAC Men's Coach of the Year and sophomore Dillon Walles was tabbed as the MAAC Men's Most Outstanding Diver of the Meet, while freshman Kayla May was recognized as the MAAC Women's Swimming Rookie of the Meet. At the MAAC Championships, the men's team set three new records. The Broncs also saw Head Diving Coach Kristen Simms named the MAAC Diving Coach of the Year.
The Broncs saw two divers qualify for the NCAA Zone A Championships with both Walles and Joe Warker producing solid results. At the ECAC Championships, diver Meg Tomayko brought home a silver medal in the 3M.
With over twenty years of involvement in the sport of diving, Kristen Simms, has created an impressive resume both in and out of the pool. A former member of the Junior Olympic program, Blue Dolphin Diving, Simms was a multi-time Speedo JO National qualifier and multi-time New Jersey State Finalist.
After graduating from Rancocas Valley Regional High School in 2000, she continued her diving career at The College of New Jersey. While at TCNJ, she became the most decorated diver in the program's history with eight Metropolitan Conference titles, event records, multiple NJAC Diver of the Week, several NJAC Diver of the Year nods, multiple ECAC Diver of the Week awards and topping it all off with eight NCAA All-American titles.
When her collegiate diving career came to an end, Kristen continued to stay involved with the sport through coaching at Rider University and becoming the MAAC Coach of the Year in 2011, performing in diving shows and competing at the Masters level. In the fall, Simms will start her 13th year teaching Technology Education in the South Brunswick School District in New Jersey. She previously served on the Broncs staff from 2004-2012. During her time at Rider, 10 student-athletes were recognized as the Most Outstanding Diver of the Meet at the MAAC Championships.
"Words cannot describe how excited I am to be back coaching diving at Coppola Pool," Simms said. "Rider University Swimming and Diving is a program like no other and to be able to call myself a Bronc again is a great honor. I am looking forward to working with this fantastic group of divers and help them reach their highest potential."
