University of Nevada Athletics

Following one of the most successful careers in Nevada diving history, Krysta Palmer joined the Wolf Pack coaching staff in the summer of 2016 as a volunteer assistant coach.

Now entering her seventh season as a member of the Nevada coaching staff, Palmer recently is coming off an appearance with Team USA, where she represented the United States at the 2021 Olympic Game. Her participation led to a bronze medal in the 3-meter springboard, which was the first medal Team USA has obtained since Sydney 2000. Palmer was also the first to win a medal in the 3-meter springboard since 1988. 

She also represented the United States at the 2017 FINA World Championships. Participating in her first international diving competition, 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.

In her final season donning the Navy Blue and Silver, Palmer was awarded the 2015-16 Ruth Russell Award, which is given annually to the school’s top senior female student-athlete. As a senior, Palmer earned All-Mountain West and NCAA All-American honorable mention honors, which helped lead her to being named the MW Diver of the Year for the second straight season.  

That same season, Palmer tallied seven first place finishes and three runner-up finishes in the regular season and guided the Wolf Pack to a top 25 CSCAA national ranking. Her diving performances also guided Nevada to a perfect 10-0 dual record, which resulted in the first MW championship in the program history.  
In 2016, Palmer earned a qualifying spot at the Olympic trials, where she advanced to two final rounds. On the synchronized platform and individual platform, Palmer placed fourth and ninth, respectively, at the U.S. Olympic Dive trials in Indianapolis. 

Her junior campaign with the Wolf Pack was as decorated as any other in Nevada history. After taking home three titles at the MW Championships, Palmer advanced to the 2015 NCAA Championships, where she earned honorable mention All-American honors. 

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. 

Her trampoline career gave Palmer the opportunity to travel around the world, as she competed in Belgium, Russia, France and the Netherlands as a member of the U.S. team.

Palmer graduated from the University of Nevada in 2016 with a degree in Kinesiology.