Hollins University Women's Cross Country

Hannah Koepfinger was named head cross country/track & field coach at Hollins in the Fall of 2024.  A collegiate standout at multiple levels comes to Hollins having served as a Graduate Assistant at Southwest Minnesota State University (NCAA DII) becoming the fourth cross country coach since the program's return in 2016 and second track & field leader of a program that debuted in 2019. The King George, Virginia native is no stranger to NCAA Division III or the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) having competed for Roanoke College from 2018-2021. Koepfinger completed her collegiate career at Southwest Minnesota State, using her Covid season prior to becoming a Graduate Assistant (GA) at the university. While in Marshall, Minn., Hannah set a school record in the Heptathlon, finishing 12th at the NSIC Championships with a total of 4,249 points. In addition to the Heptathlon, Koepfinger is the school record holder in Pentathlon, 4x400m relay, and the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) for the Mustangs. In the classroom she continued to shine, earning conference and national academic honors: 2x Academic All-NSIC and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District. As a GA for School of Graduate Studies Director, Hannah aided in student recruitment and retention, along with other college admission related responsibilities. Also, she had the opportunity to complete an independent study with SMSU's Athletic Department aiding with athletic functions and learning more about NCAA compliance.  During her time with the Maroons, Koepfinger graduated from Roanoke College in December of 2021, Hannah was named All-ODAC for indoor track & field in the Long Jump, 800m, and 4x400m relay. During her outdoor seasons, she was named all-conference in 110m Hurdles and the ODAC Champion in the 400m Hurdles. In 2020, Koepfinger was named United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) South/Southwest All-Region for the Pentathlon. One season later, the senior was named USTFCCCA All-Region in Heptathlon and 400m Hurdles. After earning a berth at the NCAA DIII National Championships in the 400m Hurdles, she finished fifth in her heat with a time of 1:04.15, just .01 out of a trip to the Finals. For her efforts, Koepfinger was named the 2021 Roanoke College Female Athlete of the Year. In addition to all the athletic honors, Hannah was also a 3x USTFCCCA All-Academic selection in both cross country and track & field, Dean's List in every semester and a 2x member of the Roanoke College President's List.  

Mark McPherson came to Hollins in the fall of 2024 as the first head coach of the Hollins Flag Football Program. McPherson comes to Hollins to lead the program after most recently serving as the Athletics Director at Altavista High School. In addition to athletic administration, McPherson has been a teacher and coach in the education field. It was his passion and desire to mentor and mold young people that helped lead Kilcoyne to his decision to tab McPherson as the coach to navigate the process of starting the new program. Coach McPherson began his coaching journey right up the road in Montgomery County as a Defensive Coordinator at, then Shawsville, Eastern Montgomery High School in 1997. McPherson then served as the Head Football coach at Craig County High School. During his 10-year stint, the Rockets would win more games with Mark at the helm than at any other time in the school’s history. In addition to football, Coach McPherson would lead the girls’ softball team to a pair of Pioneer District Championships. From 2004-2014, McPherson was named district coach of the year five times, lead three different teams to district titles and earn the Region 1C Football Coach of the Year. Coach McPherson left Craig to take the head job at Randolph-Henry High School prior to leaving coaching to get into athletic administration. Mark received his bachelor’s degree from Ashford University in Organizational Management in 2006. In 2012 he earned his master’s degree in Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University and seven years later, earned a second advanced degree in School Leadership (Administration and Supervision).     

West comes to Hollins after a decade plus stint at Virginia Tech. While in Blacksburg, West served many roles not only in the intercollegiate equestrian program but also within the university’s equitation program. In 2007, West started her tenure as an equitation instructor and equestrian coach. For the next eight years she would help to oversee the program’s Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) Hunter Seat program, a program that achieved and sustained much success at the regional and national level. West also was an advisor to the Equestrian Club at Virginia Tech, being named Virginia Tech Recreational Sports coach of the Year in 2008. As the Hunter Team Head coach, West led the Hokies to their first ever Regional Championships in 2015 and 2016. In 2018 The Hunter Seat team earned a seventh place finish at the IHSA National Championships.In addition to her success as a coach, West also brings extensive teaching, mentoring, and barn experience to Hollins. While working in the Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences at Virginia Tech, West helped to manage a staff of 12-15 students to facilitate the care of between 30-35 horses. Also, she ran a program to mentor summer interns as well assisting in fundraising and recruitment.  West’s experience isn’t limited to the intercollegiate coaching ranks. Prior to coaching and teaching at the collegiate level, West spent over a decade at the Bold Springs Veterinary Service in Blacksburg. She has served on boards for the IHSA, American National Riding Commission (ANRC), and Southwest Virginia hunter Jumper Association (SWVHJA).  

Riding instructor at Hollins since 1986; consultant and advisor to many barns in Virginia. Received the IHSA National Championships Horse Show Sportsmanship Award, 2007.

Nathan Durkin was named the assistant cross country/track &field coach in November of 2024. Durkin comes to Hollins having most recent served as the Head Track & Field coach at the University of Minnesota-Morris. While leading the Cougars, Durkin worked with the sprints, jumps, and hurdles, overseeing 13 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) all-conference individual athletes and four all-conference relay teams. Prior to taking the top spot on the staff at Minnesota-Morris, Durkin spent one season as an assistant coach. Nathan came to Minnesota after working as an assistant coach with the cross country and track & field programs at Seattle University. With the Redhawks, coach Durkin served as the recruiting coordinator while working with the distance runners and sprinters. Durkin got his first taste of coaching while a student at the University of Illinois. During his time in Champaign, Nathan gained experience as an assistant cross country and track & field coach at University of Illinois Laboratory High School. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Durkin looked west to earn a Master of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington. In 2021, coach Durkin received his Level 1 Track and Field Coach certification from USA Track & Field.