Men's Cross Country | 5/6/2025 2:00:00 PM
WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Longtime University of Central Missouri Cross Country Head Coach and Track & Field Distance Coach
Kirk Pedersen will retire on June 30, 2025, it was announced Tuesday, May 6.
Pedersen has been the head coach for Mules and Jennies Cross Country since 1987 and served as the Co-Head Coach for Mules and Jennies Track & Field from 1996 through 2024 and the Distance Coach for the track & field program this season.
"My 38 years of coaching cross country and track & field at the University of Central Missouri have been tremendous," Pedersen said. "UCM and Warrensburg have been the right size, not too big or too small. A huge thank you to all the people who have been a part of my journey at Central Missouri. Though I am retiring from coaching, I look forward to continuing to support the Mules and Jennies for years to come."
In his 38 seasons with Mules & Jennies Cross Country, he has guided the programs to a combined 14 MIAA Championships, including 11 for the Mules and three for the Jennies.
A 13-time MIAA Cross Country Coach of the Year honoree, Pedersen coached eight cross country student-athletes who combined for 13 career All-America honors, including 1996 National Champion Alexandr Alexin.
Pedersen's 1995 and 1997 men's teams earned runner-up finishes at the Division-II Championships. The 1995 men's team became the first cross country team to be inducted into the UCM Athletic Hall of Fame. The 1993 team joined them, and in 2006, the 1997 team was also inducted.
"Coach Pedersen has embodied the best of the University of Central Missouri throughout his incredible career," UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Matt Howdeshell said. "His leadership, dedication, and commitment to his student-athletes have left an indelible mark on our athletic department and on our entire university community. Beyond the accolades, Coach Pedersen has been a mentor, a role model, and a true champion of what it means to be a Mule & Jenny. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and proud to celebrate his remarkable legacy."
As Co-Head Coach with former Mules and Jennies Co-Head Track & Field Coach Kip Janvrin, Pedersen assisted the track & field program to 16 MIAA men's and six MIAA women's indoor championships, and 12 MIAA men's and three MIAA women's outdoor conference titles.
Pedersen coached four NCAA-II Distance Event National Champions in his career, including Alexin (mile, 1,500m run), Kristen Anderson (steeplechase, 5,000m run), Vladimir Golias (steeplechase) and Laban Sialo (5,000m run), and was a part of 26 total individual national champions as co-head coach with Janvrin.
He helped the 2015 Jennies Track & Field team to both the NCAA-II Indoor and Outdoor National Championships and coached former Jennies standout distance runner Megan Glamann to All-America honors in the 10,000m run that year, which helped the Jennies secure the outdoor national title.
In 2015 and 2002, Pedersen, along with Janvrin, were named the United State Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Indoor Coaches of the Year and were the 2015 National Outdoor Coaches of the Year.
Pedersen served on the NCAA Division II Track & Field Committee from 2010-13 and was the committee chair in 2012-13. In addition, he served in several USTFCCCA elected positions, including the Division II president in 2005-06.
A native of West Liberty, Iowa, Pedersen is a 1985 graduate of Simpson College (Iowa). While at Simpson, he was a five-time NCAA Division III All-American and won the 800-meter indoors his senior year. In 1995, he was inducted into the Simpson Athletic Hall of Fame and was enshrined in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
"Head Track & Field Coach
Kevin Paterson, Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Lori Hopkins, and I have begun working to identify the correct staffing structure for our cross country and track and field programs," Howdeshell said. "In the process, we will identify individuals who embody our mission of being the premier NCAA Division II program, helping our student-athletes reach their full potential by providing an exceptional experience and inspiring PRIDE in our community."
Â
