Just a few months ago, Barclay College cross country coach Hannah Kendall masterfully qualified two runners for the NCCAA Division II national meet held in Houghton, New York in just her first year at the helm. This summer, however, Kendall and her family will not be preparing to coach another year at BC, but will be beginning a new adventure in the great northwest. Kendall resigned this spring and the Barclay community wishes her and her family nothing but the best as they begin a new chapter.

“Hannah has been such a blessing to Barclay College and to the community of Haviland,” said athletic director Royce Bryan. “She will be sorely missed within the cross country program and the athletic department. It was impressive the impact she had in just one year of coaching here. I think that speaks mightily of the type of character she has.”

In the immediate weeks following Kendall’s resignation, the search for her replacement began and led directly to Kiowa County local, Whitney Kregar. Kregar is a native to Greensburg, Kans. and a 2010 graduate from Kansas State University (Manhattan, Kans.), where she received a Bachelors Degree in Social Science. During that same time, she also received an Associates Degree in Biblical Studies from Manhattan Christian College while competing on a national tournament qualifying women’s basketball team.

Most of Kregar’s experience and passion for running came following her collegiate days.  She began running long distance while training for a half marathon in 2010. Since then she has completed numerous 5k and 10k races, 6 half marathons and one marathon. Other than finishing her marathon, she believes her greatest personal running accomplishment to date has been running a sub two hour half marathon (1:57) while training for her marathon in 2014. In addition, Kregar was extremely competitive in track during her years at Greensburg High School.

“I look forward to the opportunity to coach Barclay Cross Country,” Kregar said. “I want to develop great relationships with the athletes, push them to meet their goals, and to build the overall program in the years to come. Barclay is a very special place, removed from the regular craziness of the world, where students have the opportunity to learn and grow in a small environment surrounded by loving support.”

Kregar currently resides in Greensburg with her husband Luke. They are expecting their first child this fall.