Lewis University Women's Cross Country

Kearney has been a part of the Lewis cross country staff for over five years, but has clearly made his mark on the squad, heading into his second season as the Flyer head coach. This was made evident in 2014, as he mentored five Flyers to All-Great Lakes Valley Conference accolades at the GLVC Cross Country Championships, hosted by Lewis. On the men's side, sophomores Shawn Milhauser (8th), James Frederickson (12th) and Michael Leet (15th) all finished in the Top 15, helping the Flyers finish third overall. The women were also quite successful at the GLVC Championships as sophomore Amanda Farrough and redshirt junior Kristen Bonsor propelled the Flyers to a second-place showing - Lewis' highest finish since they won the team title in 1997. Farrough placed second, while Bonsor was fifth. Both went on to earn All-Midwest Region honors following Top 20 finishes at the NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. Prior to being elevated to head coach, Kearney played a crucial role in helping Farrough along with Andrew McLain to All-America accolades in 2013. Farrough's finish keyed Lewis to a 19th-place finish at the 2013 NCAA Cross Country Championships, while McLain guided the Flyers to a second-place showing at the 2013 GLVC Championships. Kearney joined the Flyer coaching staff in 2010 as a graduate assistant. In 2012, former head cross country coach Dana Schwarting hired him full-time as the recruiting coordinator and women's distance coach. In 2013, Kearney was charged with guiding both the men's and women's distance runners, culminating with their exciting finishes. Since Kearney joined the cross country staff, he has coached three All-Americans, four NCAA Championship qualifiers, eight NCAA All-Midwest Region performers, 17 All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selections, one GLVC Champion and three GLVC Freshmen of the Year. He has been equally as successful on the track and field side, as Kearney was named the 2014 USTFCCCA Midwest Region Assistant Women's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year. In all, Kearney has coached 15 Track and Field All-Americans, 23 NCAA Championship qualifiers, four GLVC Freshmen of the Year, 58 All-GLVC performers - including 31 championships and 22 All-Region student-athletes. He has been a part of a Flyer track and field coaching staff that has amassed six GLVC team titles and has set seven new school-records. He also helped guide All-American Andrew McLain in 2011 to a USA Junior Nationals berth in the 5,000-meter run. Kearney resides in Joliet, Ill., with his wife Kathleen and dogs (Apollo/Mia).