KATHERINE RAY TO LEAD CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. - RCU Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Katherine Ray as the new head coach of the Warrior cross country program beginning with the 2024 season. Currently serving as Novi Middle School's track and field head coach, RCU's position will be Ray's first at the collegiate level.

"Since I started as an athlete, I always knew that athletics was a strong passion of mine," Ray said. "Coaching at any level was my goal [after graduating college], but joining a university like RCU is a huge jumpstart for my coaching career, and I'm so blessed to call RCU my home."

Ray enters the role fresh off a stellar track and academic career at Wayne State University, where she double-majored in sports management and business administration. Ray holds seven different top-20 all-time results for Wayne State, including third place all-time in the 3000m steeplechase event (10:37.28). Additionally, Ray has 10 different GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team nominations across cross country and indoor/outdoor track.

In her final season as a collegiate athlete, Ray scored points in the 3000m steeplechase during the GLIAC Conference Championships, earning second place and a podium finish. During the 2023 cross country season, Ray qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships.

"During my time in college, I also coached back at my alma mater, Novi Middle School, and was their head track and field coach for four years, but I knew I always wanted to make an impact differently, either at the high school or college level," Ray said. "With all of the people who have influenced me about my decision to become a coach after college, I know that now that I am in this position, I am so grateful to be here because I can feel in my heart that this is exactly where I belong."

RCU Athletic Director Clayton Bissett had this to say on Ray's hiring:

"We are very fortunate to have been able to hire Katherine. Her excitement and energy will certainly be an infectious presence around our cross country programs. As she has just completed a very successful career at Wayne State, she will be able to not only relate to our runners but also help them grow in the sport and as people."

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications