Lancaster Bible College and the Lancaster Bible College Athletic Department are pleased to announce Katy Brake ('09) has been hired to lead the Men's & Women's Cross Country program, and will also be a full-time assistant coach for the men's & women's track & field program.
 
Brake ran cross country for the Chargers during the first three years of the program's history from 2006-08, and then graduated with a degree in elementary education in December of 2009. Brake is returning to Lancaster Bible after coaching in the track & field and basketball programs at Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Pa. for the past 8 ½ years.
 
"I'm so excited to be a part of a Christ-centered community where I can be open with my faith, and help others grow in their faith," Brake said. "I enjoyed coaching at a great academic school like Mercersburg Academy, but am very happy to be coming back to my alma mater."
 
Brake also said she was excited to continue growing the program, as she was a part of its inception in 2006.
 
"I remember our first season, and we had a good schedule and Pete Beers set us up for success," Brake said. "We were looking for a coach to mold the program and grow it back then, and I'm excited to have a chance to lead the program now and build off of several solid coaches. I want to continue to build, improve the running of the student-athletes, as well as their fitness."
 
Brake explained that she loves working with cross country runners and distance runners because each individual is different in the way they race and train.
 
"Everyone responds to training differently, and there is no cookie-cutter option on how to train and race," Brake said. "I love learning about each person and what makes them work harder, train harder, and race more efficiently. In distance running, there is room for strategy, and so you have to find the strengths of each runner to develop a good racing strategy."
 
Lancaster Bible Track & Field Head Coach Melissa Baughman also expressed her excitement to having Brake come aboard and not only lead the cross country program, but assist her in all aspects of the track & field program.
 
"We are excited to welcome Katy to the team," Baughman said. "She brings enthusiasm, work ethic, and a passion for the mission of Lancaster Bible."
 
Brake said she is ready for the challenge of leading two programs and looking forward to the upcoming season that will see the Chargers host two races, the Charger Invitational and the NEAC Championships.
 
"The Lord has placed me here and my goal is to impact student-athletes, so they in turn can impact others," Brake said. I feel like it is my responsibility to lead well and make an impact, and when that happens, give God the glory."