Houghton College Men's Cross Country

Hager was named head coach of the Highlander cross country and track and field programs in July 2014. Hager comes to Houghton from Messiah College where he served for two years as a graduate assistant for the cross country and track and field teams. In his role he served as recruiting coordinator, assisted with administrative duties, coordinated practice and competition schedules, constructed and administered training programs and led meet management for home competitions.   At Messiah he coached athletes to more than 30 all-conference finishes, including two conference champions.   In addition to his work at Messiah, Hager served for two years as the first ever cross country head coach at NCAA Division III Rosemont (Pa.) College, where he guided Klarisse Torriente to second team All CSAC honors in 2010 and first team honors in 2011.    Hager brings additional experience as a High Altitude Center Coordinator for the Mancos Project High Altitude Center at Lost Canyon Ranch in Mancos, Colo. There, he led training runs and supplemental training sessions for NCAA Division I and II athletes and high level post-collegiate athletes. He also served one year as an exercise specialist with Central Pennsylvania Rehabilitation Services.   Hager holds Level I and Level II (Endurance Coaching) certification from U.S. Track and Field and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He earned his masters degree in higher education, with a concentration in college athletics management, from Messiah in May 2014.   Hager is originally from Edinboro, Pa., and is a graduate of General McLane High School. After that he attended Medaille College for one year and transferred to Messiah where he graduated in 2008 with a degree in sports and exercise science. As a senior at Messiah, Hager earned First Team All MAC honors in both cross country and track and field.  Hager is also a co-founder of Team S.W.I.F.T (Strength, Wisdom, Integrity, Faithfulness, and Truthfulness), a racing team of Messiah alumni founded to give runners a chance to stay connected to their teammates after graduation and to glorify God with the blessing he has given in running.    He holds post-collegiate personal bests with S.W.I.F.T. of 15:25 (5k), 32:08 (10k), 25:40 (5 miles), 1:12:03 (Half Marathon), and 2:35:54 (Marathon). Patrick and his wife, Sarah, were married in 2012.