Kiptoo Leads Cross Country

FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama cross-country program will have a new leader beginning next year as UNA Athletic Director, Dr. Josh Looney, announced the hiring of Evans Kiptoo as head coach for both the men and women’s teams.

Kiptoo joins the Lions after previously serving in the dual role as the head cross country/track and field coach at Northwest Kansas Technical College.  He will become the 14th head coach of the men’s program at UNA and the 13th head coach for the women. 

 “It is a great honor for me to join the Lions family,” Kiptoo said. “After visiting the school and meeting with the staff members, I felt welcomed. I am grateful for this opportunity, and together, along with everyone on our staff, will work very hard to help our student-athletes become successful. This includes helping them achieve success athletically, academically, and their social well-being.”

Kiptoo assumes the position after the five-year tenure of previous head coach Jeremy Provence, who departed the program after becoming the first head coach for the Lions at the Division I level.  UNA’s successful program includes a combined four ASUN Conference Runners of the Week and seven ASUN Conference Freshmen of the Week honors.  The UNA women have had three second-team All-ASUN runners.

Kiptoo was an All-American while at Lindenwood University in 2007 and continued the same success after transferring to Eastern Kentucky the following year, where he became a decorated cross country and long-distance track and field athlete. He joined the U.S. Army in pursuit of his professional goals of leading a collegiate running program and mentoring distance athletes.  This impressive determination helped fuel the rapid development of Northwest Kansas Technical College into a national junior college distance-running power.