WICHITA FALLS, Texas -- An accomplished runner with a great record of success was tapped as the next leader of the Midwestern State Cross Country and Track programs Tuesday afternoon.
 
Kelsey Bruce moves into her first head coaching position following a stellar collegiate career and nearly five seasons as assistant coach at her alma mater -- Dallas Baptist.
 
"The established excellence of our women's cross country program and emerging strength in our women's track program will be greatly enhanced by the expertise that Kelsey Bruce brings us," Midwestern State President Suzanne Shipley said. "We welcome her to MSU Texas!"
 
Bruce raised the bar during her career at DBU earning United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches' Association All-America honors on four occasions including in cross country in 2015, the steeplechase in 2014 and 2015 and the indoor 5,000-meter run in 2015. She also claimed four conference individual titles, while finishing among the top 10 in the United States Track & Field Road Championship on six occasions.
 
As an assistant coach, she is instrumental in helping head coach and mentor Jacob Phillips guide the Patriots to qualify for three NCAA national cross country meets (two times for the women and once for the men) and claim three conference titles. She helped direct one cross country All American and lead seven others to NCAA qualifying performances.
 
"Kelsey brings an attitude of winning with her. She has strong leadership, communication and problem solving skills that we believe will translate to success for our track and cross country teams," MSU Texas Athletics Director Kyle Williams said. "Her desire is to inspire young women to be the very best athlete, student and representative of MSU Texas. We look forward to a great future with Kelsey."
 
Bruce remains active as one of the premiere distance runners in the United State. She is a two-time Olympic Trials qualifier and represented Team USA in the 2019 IAAF World Championships. She also competed at the 2019 World Cross Country Championships and was the top American finisher in the Houston Marathon later in the same year.
 
"I'm really excited and thankful for this opportunity at MSU! It's a program that I believe has great potential for continued excellence, in a community that seems extremely supportive and welcoming," Bruce said. "The challenge of growing and building alongside these ladies is very exciting. I hope they have some big goals, because I know I do!  Though I will deeply miss my DBU family, I can't wait to get plugged into everything that is Midwestern State University! Go Mustangs!"
 
Bruce holds a Master of Arts in Teach and a Master's degree in Kinesiology from DBU where she held a dual role as assistant coach and admissions counselor since 2016. She also instructed Kinesiology classes at Dallas Baptist.
 
Jim LaValley remains on staff as assistant cross country coach after serving in an interim role this season.