TOLEDO, Ohio - Cameron Ponder has joined Toledo's cross country and track & field programs as an assistant coach, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Andrea Grove-McDonough announced on Monday. Ponder will work primarily with distance runners within the program.

"We are super excited to add Cameron to our staff," said Grove-McDonough. "He brings a wealth of experience as an athlete at a very high level both individually and as a member of a nationally qualifying cross country team. That's something we were looking for in this position, someone who knows what success looks like from the inside and can bring that championship experience to Toledo."

Ponder's experience stems from his time as a member of the Furman University men's cross country and track & field teams for six seasons. He was named an All-American in the indoor 3,000m twice in his career, earning first-team honors in 2021 and second-team honors in 2022.

The Winston-Salem, N.C. native was named the 2021-22 Southern Conference Co-Male Athlete of the Year and earned 2021 SoCon Cross Country Runner of the Year accolades. During the 2021 season, the then-senior won the league's championship race and proceeded to place ninth in the NCAA Southeast Region Cross Country Championship, earning a spot on the USTFCCCA All-Southeast Region Team. He concluded his season with a trip to the NCAA National Cross Country Championship Race. 

Ponder was a five-time member of the All-Southern Conference Cross Country First Team during his collegiate career. He collected nine SoCon champion titles through indoor and outdoor track & field seasons.

On the academic side, Ponder is a three-time USTFCCCA All-Academic Cross Country and Track & Field Athlete, having been named to the list in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Ponder graduated from Furman University with a bachelor's degree in economics.