SAINT PAUL, Minn. --- Hamline University Assistant Vice President and Athletic Director Alex Focke announced that Megan Evans has been named the new coach of the Hamline University men's and women's cross country programs.
"We are thrilled to welcome Megan to Hamline University as our Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach. Throughout a highly competitive search process, she demonstrated a genuine passion for developing student-athletes, building meaningful relationships, and fostering a positive team culture," stated Focke, "Megan brings strong coaching and recruiting experience, and we are excited about her vision for the future of our cross country program. We look forward to the impact she will have on our student-athletes, team culture, and the continued success of Hamline Cross Country."
Megan (Smith) Evans brings a wealth of collegiate and private coaching experience to our cross country program, having successfully mentored distance runners across NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels. Most recently, she served as the head distance coach at Lake Erie College, driving her runners to historic individual conference finishes, and at Grove City College, where she led the cross country squads to three conference runner-up finishes and a men's team conference championship in 2017. Throughout her collegiate coaching career—which also includes impactful stints at the University of the Cumberlands and Concordia University Chicago—Evans's athletes have rewritten record books, amassing a collective 53 school records, 23 individual conference titles, 8 national qualifiers, and an NAIA All-American honor. A hallmark of her coaching is her expertise in designing periodized strength and conditioning programs that have consistently reduced athlete injury rates. Additionally, as a private coach for Team RunRun since 2019, she has successfully guided adult recreational and youth runners to personal bests, half-marathon victories, and Boston Marathon qualifications.
Before transitioning into coaching, Evans established an exceptional athletic pedigree as an elite competitor at both the high school and NCAA Division I levels. Competing for the University of Minnesota, she was a varsity letter winner, represented the Gophers in four Big Ten Track and Field Championships, and contributed to four Big Ten team titles across cross country and track. Recognized for her dedication and leadership, she received the cross country "Coaches Award" from coach Gary Wilson and recorded the program's fastest outdoor 800-meter time during the 2012 season. Prior to her collegiate career, Evans was a standout star at Eden Prairie High School, capturing state titles in the 800-meter and 4x800-meter relay, earning eight MSHSL Class AA All-State honors, and achieving Nike Outdoor Nationals All-American distinction in the 4xMile. Her dominant high school career ultimately earned her the prestigious Athena Award and an induction into the Eden Prairie Track/Cross Country Hall of Fame.
By blending her proven record of personal athletic excellence with a deeply strategic, data-driven coaching philosophy, Evans has demonstrated a unique ability to develop student-athletes into top-tier competitors. Her extensive background in program management, injury prevention, and elite-level training makes her exceptionally well-equipped to elevate our cross country program and guide our student-athletes to new heights.
"I feel very honored to have the opportunity to be the next head cross country coach at Hamline University." says Evans, "The Pipers have a long history of success and have long-held my respect as a class-act team from my time competing against them at local meets back in college, including many memorable races right here on Klas Field. I am very excited to return to college coaching right and bring my experience to build further upon this success at a program in my home community."
