By KATIE LACKEY, Sports Editor
She was the first female athlete on a scholarship to graduate from Oklahoma State University.
She continued as a graduate assistant and has spent the last 30 years coaching in track and field as well as cross country. Jill Lancaster is an Alva native. She attended Alva high school, but graduated from Carmen-Dacoma High School. Lancaster graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1981 with her first bachelor’s degree. In 1983, she acquired her second bachelor’s degree.
Lancaster decided to come back home to Alva to help with the family farm.
“Northwestern offers the opportunity to get back into coaching, while continuing my obligations to my family,” Lancaster said.
Lancaster’s coaching career may have began at the University of Oklahoma, but it also took her to the University of Kansas.
In the midst of coaching, Lancaster continued her competitive career, which lead her all the way to the Olympic trials in 1988.
It wasn’t until she went to the University of Toledo that she got her first head-coaching job. Lancaster returned to Kansas to coach for Kansas State University. After leaving Kansas State University, she went on to be co-head coach at the University of Oklahoma. Her last coaching job before returning to Alva was at Troy University.
The numerous coaching positions all produced multiple conference champions and All-Americans as well as Academic All-Americans.
Lancaster brings 30 plus years of coaching experience to Northwestern as well as 20 plus years as an athlete herself. She is also certified as a USTFCA Level 1 coach, USTFCA Level II cross country coach and a Level II jumps coach.
“My goals are to bring depth to the program both academically and athletically,” Lancaster said. “The enthusiasm of the returning athletes joined with the right recruits will allow this team to move forward.”
Lancaster said: “My expectations are to provide the support, training and confidence to lead to success. With my passion and dedication to the student athletes, the community and university, I feel very confident the Ranger Cross Country team will rise to the occasion. I am very proud and honored to be part of the great Ranger family.”