With a history as a program-builder in the NAIA, Kelly Essler is set for her second season at the reins of the Lycoming College swimming program in 2025-26.
In her first year with the Warriors, Essler reset the program and helped it turn in more than 20 personal-best times at the Landmark Conference Championships.
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A seven-time conference coach of the year, Essler came to Lycoming after a season as an assistant coach at the Patriot League’s Bucknell University, where she served as the team’s recruiting coordinator for a 12-member recruiting class in 2024 and helped the men’s and women’s team finish fourth at the Patriot League Championships and the women to a second place at the ECAC Championships.
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Essler was the head coach of the Olivet Nazarene University men’s and women’s swimming & diving teams from 2019-23. She guided the Tigers to a combined six Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference titles, earned at least one KCAC Coach of the Year recognition each year, and led the women’s program to two third-place finishes at the NAIA National Championships. She coached five KCAC Swimmers of the Year during her time at ONU, including Karla Islas, who captured national titles in the 400 IM and 1650 freestyle in 2020. She coached her swimmers to 70 individual NAIA All-American honors along with 26 NAIA All-American relay teams.
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Essler began her tenure coaching with a five-year stint at alma mater, Milligan College, serving as head coach from 2016-19. She found instant success with the Buffaloes, as her teams had two national finalists during her first season. She was named Appalachian Athletic Conference Women’s Coach of the Year in 2017-18.
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Essler set five school records during her career at Milligan and competed in seven different races at the NAIA National Championships in 2010. A native of Las Vegas, she was part of the Nevada state champions in the 200-yard medley relay in 2010.
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She is also a cyclist and represented Team USA on the World Championship Triathlon team in Switzerland in 2019. A Full and Half Ironman finisher, she has also finished three ultra-marathons.
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Essler, who resides in Shamokin Dam with husband, Peter, and son, Briggs, earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Milligan in 2014.Â
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| The Essler File |
|
|
| Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada |
|
|
| Husband - Peter |
|
|
| Son - Briggs |
|
|
| Education |
|
|
| 2014 |
Bachelor of Science - Nursing |
Milligan College |
| Athletic Experience |
|
|
| 2010-11 |
Milligan College Swim Team |
Set five school records |
| 2011-13 |
Milligan College Cycling Team |
|
| 2019 |
Team USA Triathlon Team |
World Championships |
| Coaching Experience |
|
|
| 2015-16 |
Milligan College |
Assistant Swimming Coach |
| 2016-19 |
Milligan College |
Head Swimming Coach |
| 2019-23 |
Olivet Nazarene University |
Head Swimming Coach |
| 2023-24 |
Bucknell University |
Assistant Swimming Coach |
| 2024- |
Lycoming College |
Head Swimming Coach |
| Honors & Awards |
|
|
| 2009 |
Nevada State Champion |
200 Medley Relay |
| 2017-18 |
AAC Women's Coach of the Year |
|
| 2019-20 |
KCAC Women's Coach of the Year |
|
| 2020-21 |
KCAC Women's Coach of the Year |
|
| 2020-21 |
KCAC Men's Coach of the Year |
|
| 2021-22 |
KCAC Women's Coach of the Year |
|
| 2021-22 |
KCAC Men's Coach of the Year |
|
| 2022-23 |
KCAC Women's Coach of the Year |
|
| Essler Year-By-Year |
|
Men |
Women |
|
| Year |
W |
L |
Pct. |
Conf. |
W |
L |
Pct. |
Conf. |
Note |
| Milligan College |
| 2016-17 |
3 |
4 |
.429 |
6/6 |
4 |
6 |
.400 |
5/7 |
Coached 13 swimmers at NAIA Championships |
| 2017-18 |
2 |
1 |
.667 |
4/6 |
1 |
2 |
.333 |
3/8 |
Margaret Halloran earned three All-American honors |
| 2018-19 |
2 |
3 |
.400 |
3/6 |
4 |
2 |
.667 |
2/6 |
Men finished 17th, women 15th at NAIA Championships |
| MC Total |
7 |
8 |
.467 |
|
9 |
10 |
.474 |
|
|
| Olivet Nazarene University |
| 2019-20 |
4 |
5 |
.444 |
1/6 |
7 |
2 |
.778 |
1/6 |
Coached Karla Islas to two NAIA national titles |
| 2020-21 |
1 |
1 |
.500 |
3/8 |
1 |
2 |
.333 |
1/8 |
Coached 24 NAIA All-Americans |
| 2021-22 |
2 |
4 |
.333 |
1/6 |
7 |
0 |
1.000 |
1/7 |
Led women to third place finish at NAIA Championships |
| 2022-23 |
6 |
3 |
.667 |
1/7 |
9 |
3 |
.750 |
1/9 |
Led both teams to KCAC titles for second straight year |
| ONU Total |
13 |
13 |
.500 |
|
24 |
7 |
.774 |
|
|
| Lycoming College |
| 2023-24 |
2 |
11 |
.154 |
9/10 |
2 |
12 |
.143 |
10/10 |
Helped team to more than 20 personal bests at Landmark Championships |
| LC Total |
2 |
11 |
.154 |
|
2 |
12 |
.143 |
|
|
| Total |
22 |
32 |
.407 |
|
35 |
29 |
.547 |
|
