Kristin LeClair was named the Associate Head Coach for the Benedictine University men's and women's track and field and cross country programs in the summer of 2017.
"I am excited to welcome Kristin to the Benedictine family," said Director of Track and Field and Cross Country,
Kevin Paterson. "Her resume speaks volumes and what's even more impressive is her drive to make her athletes better on the track and in the classroom. She is going to have a great impact right away here at Benedictine and I'm very excited to add her to our coaching staff."
Kristin comes to Benedictine after serving for two years as the track and field and cross country graduate assistant and one year as the assistant coach at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. During her time there, she helped in the teams recruiting efforts, set up and carried out the daily practices for the long jump, triple jump, high jump and short sprints and also designed and implemented the distance runner's lifting programs.
At UW-Stevens Point she coached seven national qualifiers in 28 events with 14 All-American finishes and one national champion. She coached the 2017 Indoor Midwest Field Athlete of the Year and the 207 Indoor National Field Athlete of the Meet and the National Field Athlete of the Year. Her team placed 4
that the 2017 Indoor National Championships.
"It is truly an honor to be joining Benedictine," said LeClair. "I am thankful for the opportunity to work with Coach Paterson and the rest of the staff to build on the tradition that has been put in place. Benedictine is a special place and the people I have already met make it feel like home. I can't wait to get started!"
LeClair graduated from Carthage College in 2014 with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Psychology minor. She was a four-year letterwinner and finished in the top three in the long jump at the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Indoor and Outdoor Championships six times in her career, winning the indoor event in 2013. She was also a part of the 4x400m relay team that won the CCIW Conference Championship in 2014. LeClair was named the CCIW Athlete of the Week twice and served as team captain her senior season.
In addition to her success on the track, LeClair made the Dean's List in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was also chosen to participate in the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in June of 2013.
Her duties at Benedictine will be to oversee all aspects of recruiting and to manage the training and competition for the jumps events.
