The Athletics Department announced on Wednesday the hiring of Chris Ward as the new head cross country coach. Ward will also be an assistant coach for distance for the Wildcats’ track and field team.

“I was excited to hear that news,” Ward said. “I’m happy about the opportunity to come to this great university along with the tradition it has.”

“It’s going to be a challenge for me to keep that tradition going,” he said. “I’m going to take it upon myself to try and do that.”

Before coming to Abilene, Ward spent three years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Oklahoma City University.

Ward helped qualify 46 student-athletes for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championships during his stay at OCU. He also had two 4×400 relay teams capture national titles.  The Stars earned 25-All Americans, claimed three Sooner Athletic Conference titles and had three cross country teams receive all-academic honors during his three years.

Ward previously served as the head coach at Fort Scott, Kan. Community College for two years and was a volunteer coach at Xavier University of New Orleans and Charleston Southern University.

The Oklahoma City native graduated from Charleston Southern in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He earned an Associate of Science degree in business management from Independence Community College in 2001.

Ward was a runner himself at Fort Scott High School in Kansas. He competed in sprints, relays, high jump and triple jump.

Because Ward was just hired as the new cross country coach, the Wildcats are getting a somewhat late start to their season.

“We didn’t run last weekend, so this weekend is like their first meet,” he said. “I’ve been running around trying to get organized for that along with getting acclimated to the university and learning what’s required of me.”

Ward has already scheduled several cross country meets for the next couple of weeks.

“This weekend McMurry University is hosting a meet,” he said. “Next week we’re going to Texas Tech University.”

Coach Ward has several student-athletes returning to this year’s team. On the girls’ side, NCAA qualifier Alyse Goldsmith will be attempting to better her third place finish at the 2011 Lone Star Conference championship. Goldsmith, a senior, went on to place fourth at regionals.

On the men’s team, veterans Erik Forrister and Gary Duncan will try to bolster the squad. Forrister was selected as the LSC Men’s Academic Runner of the Year last season. He missed earning all-conference honors by one spot after placing 16th at the divisional meet with a season-best 8K time of 26:25.

Duncan participated in all five regular-season meets in 2011. He recorded his best 8K time at the Cowboy Jamboree (27:28.11).

“I’m passionate about this sport,” Ward said. “It’s good to be back coaching again.”