There’s a new head coach in town for the men’s and women’s cross country teams and he goes by the name Zach Kindler or coach Kindler.
He has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Fort Hays State University where he was a two-time academic All-American, and a National Collegiate Athletic Association javelin champion in 2001.
He replaces former head coach Rob Mallinder, who returned to his native New Zealand to pursue other coaching opportunities.
The new coach has the cross country athletes practicing two times a day and eating lunch together, activities he thinks will improve team chemistry.
Junior Ari Penner said she thinks the activities are beneficial.
“I think the coach is really improving our team bonding,” she said.
However, the transition between coaches can be difficult.
“It’s going to take a little bit of time before everyone gets on the same page,” senior Andrew McGregor said. “He’s more hardcore and hands on about coaching than Mallinder was. The transition is going to take some work, especially for the older guys.”
Assistant coach Mackie Valentin said he is still learning how Kindler wants to run the team, but can tell Kindler has had experience as a head coach before.
“He will tell you what’s going on and what his expectations are, and he wants it done his way,” Valentin said. “He is very demanding.”