In her first season at Grand Valley State during the 2024-25 campaign, Upshaw played a key role in guiding both the men’s and women’s teams to a perfect 7-0 record in dual meets. At the conference level, she helped lead the Lakers to sweep the GLIAC Championships, winning titles on both the men’s and women’s sides. At the NCAA Division II National Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, Upshaw coached the men’s team to a fourth-place finish and the women’s team to an eighth-place finish.
Kris Upshaw enters her first season at GVSU in 2024-25 as the assistant coach.
Upshaw joins GVSU with an impressive and extensive coaching career in the swimming industry, spanning both collegiate and high school levels. Most recently, she served as the head coach at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, IN. Before that, Upshaw was head varsity coach at Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, IN for six years. Additionally, she has held the position of assistant coach at both the University of Kansas and Ball State University, further showcasing her depth of experience and commitment to developing swimmers at all levels.
Upshaw has served as a coach at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. where she honed her expertise and contributed to the development of elite athletes.
Upshaw swam collegiately at the University of Indianapolis, where she studied Visual Communications and Fine Arts. She was a four year varsity, three time team captain, and a multiple school recorder holder. She later went on to earn her master's degree in Biomechanics from Ball State University, further enhancing her expertise in the field.
