University of Mount Olive Men's Cross Country

Van Lierop is a graduate of Lehigh University, where he earned All-Patriot League honors in cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. Favorite Quote: I would rather tryand failthan to have never tried at all All-Time Coaching Record Indoor Outdoor Updated 6-14-15

Kirby joined the University of Mount Olive in the fall of 2009 as an assistant coach for the Trojan mens and womens cross country and track and field teams. Kirby was promoted to associate coach in July 2014. Kirby helped Mount Olive win the Conference Carolinas Men's Cross Country and Men's and Women's Indoor and Outdoor Championships in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The Trojans finished 2013-14 ranked No. 12 in Division II in combined men's cross country, men's indoor track and field and men's outdoor track and field programs. Mount Olive has earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country Championship in each of the last four years, finishing in the top 20 in 2013 (16th) and 2014 (19th). In the 2014 championship, Akiharu Kitagawa came within one place of becoming the Trojans' first-ever men's cross country All-America. In both the 2013 and 2014 Conference Carolinas Men's Cross Country Championships, a record seven Mount Olive runners earned All-Conference Carolinas honors. Kirby has helped the Trojans consistently stay ranked in the USTFCCCA Region Top 10 in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor track and field, and men's and women's outdoor track and field. Since 2011, Trojan men's and women's track and field student-athletes have won a combined nine Conference Carolinas Athlete of the Year awards. Alaytra Carswell was named Women's Track and Field (Track Events) Athlete of the Year in 2011 and 2012, becoming the first Trojan student-athlete in any sport to earn Conference Player of the Year honors in both their freshman and sophomore years. Kirby is a graduate of Keystone College, where she earned a B.A. in visual arts with a concentration in photography and graphic design. Kirby was a decorated cross country and track and field athlete at Keystone. She was a three-time cross country conference champion (twice in the Northeast Athletic Conference, senior year in the Colonial States Athletic Conference) and still holds school records for fastest time in both the 5k and 6k. Kirby was a two-time all-region selection and qualified for the NCAA Division III Womens Cross Country National Championship in her junior and senior years. Kirby was the 2009 CSAC Track and Field Athlete of the Year and qualified for the 2009 NCAA Division III Womens Track and Field Championship in the 5,000 meters and the mile. Kirby holds school records in six different events. Kirby ran for current Trojan head coach Matt van Lierop when he was head cross country/track and field coach at Keystone. Still an avid runner, Kirby competes in races throughout the region. Advice to prospective student-athletes: Training over the summer takes dedication, commitment, and a desire of wanting to be better. Putting in the work over the summer could turn a good season into a great season, and I believe putting in the work is what makes individuals and teams successful. Dont always expect what made you a decent runner in high school is going to keep you afloat in college running. Also, always do your research, and find out as much information as possible about the schools and running programs that interest you. Updated June 17, 2015