After two seasons at Ashland University as a swimmer, then one campaign as an Eagle swimming and diving assistant coach,
Sydney Laughlin has been named AU head swimming and diving coach by Director of Athletics
Al King.
"Since she joined us as an assistant coach a year ago, I've been impressed by Sydney's drive and intensity," King said. "My hope is that our student-athletes will feed off of those qualities. Sydney has worked with coaches from some highly-successful programs, and I believe she will bring some fresh ideas and perspectives to Ashland. That's in the classroom, in the pool and in what our student-athletes do in the community.
"I think Sydney is an extremely good fit for Ashland in a number of ways. She shares our vision and blueprint, and I'm delighted that she's willing to accept our offer and take on this challenge."
Said Laughlin, "I'm honestly really excited. I feel like our team is prepared and ready. I'm excited for our freshmen coming in. Something that Ashland does really well is 'Accent on the Individual.' Knowing each athlete that you have, which way to push them and work hard with them and encourage them, that's beneficial and helpful."
Since the Eagle swimming and diving program began in 1967, Laughlin, a 2023 AU graduate, becomes the 15
th head women's coach and 11
th head men's coach at Ashland.
Laughlin spent the 2024-25 season as an Ashland assistant after beginning her collegiate coaching career in the same position at the University of the Cumberlands in 2023-24.
Before joining Ashland's program as a student-athlete for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, she was a part of Grove City College's swim program, and was the 2019-20 Presidents' Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Year.
Laughlin's father,
Joe, was an Eagle men's soccer player in the late 1990s. Her mother,
Jenna, also is an AU alumna.
"I'm really excited," Laughlin said. "It's kind of a little family move. I'm excited to now be the head coach of the team."
Laughlin takes over the head coaching position from
Hueston Holder.
"I want to acknowledge the contributions of Hueston Holder over the last two years," King said. "Hueston had a thorough understanding of Ashland University's mission. He worked long and hard to improve our swimming and diving program. As a former swimmer at AU, he had a passion for this program and that was evident on a daily basis. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his life."
In 2024-25, Eagle swimming and diving finished in second place (men) and third place (women) at the Great Midwest Athletic Conference/Mountain East Championships. Sophomore diver
Riley Hunt earned second-team NCAA Division II All-American status in women's 3-meter diving – becoming the first AU woman to score team points at nationals in nine years.
The 2025-26 Ashland swimming and diving season will begin on Oct. 10-11 at the Oberlin Early Invite.
