GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Gators continue to invest in excellence with the official announcement of Cameron Ponder joining the coaching staff as an Assistant Coach for Track & Field and Cross Country. Known for his decorated collegiate running career and rising coaching profile, Ponder’s addition marks a significant boost for the Gators’ distance programs.
Hailing from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Ponder arrives in Gainesville after an impressive run with the University of Toledo. During his time there, he played a pivotal role in Toledo’s historic 2024 season, helping both the men’s and women’s cross country teams capture Mid-American Conference (MAC) titles. Under his leadership, the women’s team qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and multiple school records fell, including in the women’s 800m, 1500m, indoor mile, 3000m, and 5000m.
“We are excited to have Cameron join our staff,” said Head Coach Mike Holloway. “His experience and knowledge in the recruiting and coaching areas will be a great asset to our programs.”
Before stepping into the coaching world, Ponder made waves as a student-athlete at Furman University. He was named the 2021–22 Southern Conference Co-Male Athlete of the Year, earning back-to-back honors as Furman’s Male Athlete of the Year in 2021 and 2022. He also garnered First Team All-American honors in the indoor 3,000m in 2021 and Second Team All-American recognition the following year.
His cross country accolades include the 2021 SoCon Runner of the Year, 2018 SoCon Freshman of the Year, and nine Southern Conference titles across both disciplines. Ponder was a four-time USTFCCCA All-Academic honoree and earned All-Southeast Region honors in cross country.
Ponder’s academic journey was as impressive as his athletic one. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Politics & International Affairs from Furman, showcasing his depth both on and off the field.
As the Gators look to build on their tradition of success, Ponder’s arrival signals renewed energy and focus in their distance program. With a blend of elite performance, academic integrity, and proven leadership, he’s set to make an immediate impact in Gainesville.
