ALVA, Okla.- Northwestern Oklahoma State University has announced the hiring of Jill Lancaster as the new Head Men and Women's Cross Country Coach.

Lancaster joins the Rangers after serving as a volunteer track and field coach at Cherokee High School. Prior to her volunteer position, Lancaster was the Director of Men's and Women's Track and Field at Division I Troy University over the course of the 2008-2014 seasons. 
           
"I look forward to joining the Northwestern Oklahoma State university family and working with the Ranger Men's and Women's Cross Country program," said Head Cross Country Coach, Jill Lancaster. "I have the opportunity to give back to the community where I grew up and started my track career in elementary school on this campus. 

Throughout my career the community has supported me in all my endeavors as a student, athlete and coach.  The time is right and a good fit to get back to the sport I love.  It is a true homecoming for me. Run Rangers Run!"
                
The announcement was made this week after former coach Clay Tarter announced his resignation earlier this month. Lancaster brings numerous years of NCAA Division I experience to the Rangers.

"We are very happy to have Coach Jill Lancaster joining the Rangers as our Women's and Men's Cross Country coach," said Director of Athletics Brad Franz. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience at the highest levels of college athletics and has a great reputation throughout the field." 
                
Prior to her position at Troy, Lancaster was the Co-Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach at the University of Oklahoma from the year 1997 to 2005. Her first head coaching position came in 1988 when she held the position of Head Women's Track and Field and Cross Country coach until 1993 at Toledo University. She also held two other assistant Track and Field or Cross Country jobs at other major Division I schools including Kansas State and the University of Kansas.
               
Lancaster has coached several athletes throughout her illustrious Division I career who have advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. During her tenure as Co-Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach at the University of Oklahoma she assisted in coaching numerous Division I All-Americans as well as leading the Sooners to a fourth-place finish at the 2004 NCAA Midwest Regional, which stood as the highest finish at the event in program history.
               
"She promotes both success in the classroom and success in athletics which is what Northwestern athletics is all about," Franz said.  "She will be a tremendous coach, teacher and mentor for our cross country student-athletes and I look forward to having her coach our teams."
               
In addition to her time as a collegiate coach, Lancaster also brings success to the Rangers at the national level as she coached two Olympic Trial qualifiers in the 100, 200 and long jump competitions. She has also had a hand in developing multiple individuals who have qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.  
               
A ground-breaking athlete in the state of Oklahoma herself, Lancaster was a three-time AIAW Division 1-A All-American Selection in the 600-meter dash, mile and two-mile relays. Lancaster still holds the all-time school record for the outdoor 400-meter hurdle with a time of 59.03.
               
Following her collegiate career for the Sooners, Lancaster placed 14^th at the 1988 United States Olympic Trials in the Heptathalon. In 2009 she was named as one of the Top 10 Female Athletes of the Century by the Drake Relays. 1988 was a big year for Lancaster as she was also inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame.
               
Lancaster also promotes success in the classroom as evidenced by her own academic achievements that include her being the first female track and field scholarship athlete to earn a University of Oklahoma Degree. She was also selected as an AIAW National Convention Student-Athlete Delegate.
               
Lancaster holds a Level II Track and Field Coaches Certification in endurance as well as a Level II Track and Field Coaches Certification in jumps.
               
Lancaster currently resides in Alva.