University of Minnesota Athletics

Diving platforms

Gophers Add Former Diving Standout Yu Zhou to Coaching Staff

7/12/2023 10:55:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving

Former Diver and Graduate Assistant Yu Zhou has been named an Assistant Coach and Director of Operations

MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Minnesota Swimming and Diving team has added former Gopher diver Yu "Shelly" Zhou to their coaching staff, the team announced Wednesday.

"I am very honored to have this opportunity and can't wait to make a continued impact on the coaching side for the U of M Swimming and Diving team. Go Gophers!" said Zhou. 

Zhou joins the staff after earning two NCAA Championships in the 3-meter (2015, 2017) during her time as a Gopher diver. The Wuhan, China native was also a seven-time Big Ten Champion, earning conference titles in the 1-meter (2015, 2016, 2017), 3-meter (2015, 2016, 2017) and platform (2016) dives.

A seven-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten First-Team honoree, Zhou currently holds the program record for platform dive (371.80). During her illustrious career, she was named the 2015 CSCAA Women's Division I Diver of the Year, three-time Women's Big Ten Diver of the Year, and earned Big Ten Diver of the Week honors 14 times.

Zhou joined the Minnesota Swimming & Diving coaching staff in August 2021 as a graduate assistant. Now, after two years in that role, she will become an assistant coach and also serve as the Director of Operations for the program. 

Zhou graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2017 with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications Studies. During her undergrad, she earned CSCAA Scholar All-American and Academic All-Big Ten honors in both her junior and senior seasons. She returned to the 'U' and received her Masters of Education in Sports Management in May of 2023.
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