Sam Ryf enters his third season as assistant coach for the swimming and diving teams at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2026-27.
In the 2026-27 season, Ryf helped coach the men's team to a 5-1 overall record and a perfect 4-0 record in the WIAC. The women's team gathered a 4-2 overal record and posted a 3-1 record in the WIAC. Both Blugold programs finished in second place at the WIAC Championships. Derek Stadheim and Molly Hosack each earned Swimmer of the Meet honors and Anwen Smith was awarded Newcomer of Year on the womens's side. The men's program picked up nine first-place finishes, eight second-place finishes, and five third-place finishes at the meet. The women's program grabbed 10 first-place finishes, nine second-place finishes, and six third-place finishes.
A four-time letter winner at UW-Eau Claire, Ryf was an instrumental part of the Blugolds' success during his four years at UWEC and was named team captain in the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons. Ryf finished his final season of competition on a high note with conference titles in the 400-yard medley relay and the 800-yard freestyle relay as well as a second place finish in the 200-yard butterfly at the 2024 WIAC Championships. Outside of the pool, Ryf was named to UWEC's Dean's List numerous semesters and made the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll in 2022 and 2024.
Along with his impactful Blugold career, Ryf brings coaching experience from the Division I level and in the Eau Claire community to UW-Eau Claire. Ryf spent the summer of 2022 at the University of Tennessee and working with their Strength and Conditioning staff with a variety of Volunteer sports. Ryf has also spent the last year at the Eau Claire YMCA as a Swim Coach teaching fundamental techniques and developed to the area's youth.
