Hokies welcome Emily Claesson as assistant coach

BLACKSBURG – Head coach Sergio Lopez Miro introduced the addition of Emily Claesson ’26 as the most recent assistant coach for Virginia Tech swimming and diving.

“We are very excited to have Emily Claesson as our newest assistant coach,” Lopez Miro stated. “She has done an amazing job the last four years as a student-athlete and as a member of the women’s team. She is a leader by nature, and I am so excited about what she can bring to the table, not just with her knowledge, but with her passion for being a Hokie and for Virginia Tech. As a student-athlete, she always asked questions and wanted to improve, and she will be extremely valuable for us.”

Claesson joins the Hokie employees after being a four-year swimmer at Virginia Tech from 2022-26. As an assistant coach, Claesson will assist recruit, train, mentor and develop student-athletes for each males’s and ladies’s swimming and diving applications.

Claesson certified for the NCAA Championships in 4 straight seasons and garnered Honorable Mention All-American honors all 4 years as a member of the freestyle relay groups. Most lately, Claesson positioned 18th general with the 200, 400 and 800 freestyle relay groups on the 2026 NCAA Championships.

“This program is so special and has been such an integral part of my life,” Claesson stated. “Wearing maroon and orange for the last four years while calling Blacksburg my home has been nothing short of a blessing. Being a part of Virginia Tech Swim and Dive has given me so many opportunities and shaped me as a person. An opportunity like this, to support this amazing group of athletes, is a dream. I look forward to helping them develop as teammates, leaders, and people, both in and out of the water. I am honored to have the privilege of working with this amazing coaching staff and this incredible school. I am thrilled to be stepping into this role and am so excited for all to come!”

One of essentially the most constant swimmers in program historical past, Claesson’s title is everywhere in the Virginia Tech file guide. She swam on the school-record 400 freestyle relay staff (3:12.45) on the 2026 ACC Championships. The Virginia Beach, Va., native can also be fifth on the Top 10 checklist within the 400 medley relay (3:33.15), sixth within the 200 freestyle relay (1:28.65) and eighth within the 800 freestyle relay (7:03.27).

Individually, Claesson can also be third within the file guide together with her 47.07 within the 100 freestyle and eighth within the 200 freestyle together with her time of 1:46.46.A star within the classroom, Claesson graduated from Virginia Tech in Spring 2026 together with her diploma in public well being. She is a four-time CSCAA Scholar All-American in addition to a four-time All-ACC Academic Team honoree.

Claesson has additionally gained a slew of staff awards, together with 2025 Strength & Conditioning Athlete of the Year, 2025 HOKIE Award, 2025-26 Student Athlete of the Year and three-time Spirit Award winner.