Record-breaking runner joins coaching staff

Photo by: Abby Bellow

After breaking records during her time as a cross-country runner at Oklahoma Christian University, Kaili Tucker returns as both a coach and graduate student for the 2014-2015 school year.

After working for a year in the university’s admissions office, Tucker decided to pursue a master’s degree in ministry at Oklahoma Christian.

“I spent a summer in Africa and another summer in Capitol Hill for ministry,” Tucker said. “I fell in love with that. I just had my first class on Tuesday and already have two papers, so I’m just getting used to having homework again.”

Tucker ran cross-country and track for the Lady Eagles from the fall of 2009 to the spring of 2011. During her freshman year she with her team qualified for the NAIA National Championship and broke the university 4×800 meter relay record.

Tucker with three teammates broke the record on April 24, 2010 with a time of 9:27.57 running faster than the 2003 record of 9:39.58. Their school record still stands today.

After transferring to the University of Central Oklahoma and graduating in the spring of 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Tucker worked at Oklahoma Christian’s admissions office for a year, where she focused primarily on connecting with students from Colorado and rural areas of Oklahoma.

When Head Cross-Country Coach Wade Miller looked for a new assistant coach, he conveniently found Tucker already on campus with her job at the admission office, and she met his expectations for a qualified coach.

Tucker was asked to join the coaching staff shortly before the runners moved back onto campus in mid-August.

“She is a good example and has good values,” Miller said. “And I think it’s important to have somebody that’s a good character and a leader in that position.”

With Tucker’s experience as a former Lady Eagle and working with students in the admissions office, Miller thinks she will relate well to the current runners on the cross-country team. Tucker joins the coaches and runners for each 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. practice.

Sophomore Aubree Hughes started her second year as a runner for the Lady Eagles. She looks forward to having a new assistant coach, she said.

“I like having a [female] assistant coach to relate to,” Hughes said. “Even though coach Miller is awesome, it’s nice to have a girl. She will add a new dynamic to the team. I’ve noticed that Kaili is very encouraging and I feel like that is something that our team needs right now. Constant positivity is always a good thing.”

Hughes said she hopes to aid Tucker’s transition into her new coaching position by looking up to her and showing her respect.

“She has done this before, she has run cross-country and set records before, so we should take her advice and let her know how much we appreciate it,” Hughes said.

As for the future, Tucker plans to stay in the area.

“I love OC and I love being part of the environment – I can see myself sticking around for a while. I want [the cross-country team] to succeed and have a good season, but most importantly to grow and become good people,” Tucker said.

Tucker will join Miller on Sept. 6 at the cross-country team’s first race, the OCU Land Run, which is held at a local cross-country course in Edmond, Oklahoma.

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