Laura Rybka Joins Kent State Track and Field/Cross Country Coaching Staff
7/15/2024 11:33:00 AM | Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
KENT, Ohio — Kent State Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Nathan Fanger has announced the addition of Laura Rybka to the coaching staff. Rybka joins the Golden Flashes from NCAA Division III Grove City College and will be the head coach for the cross country teams and train mid-distance/distance track and field student-athletes.
Rybka spent four seasons with the Wolverines, serving as the Head Coach of the cross-country program for the 2022 and 2023 seasons while also working as the Coordinator of Distance Running for the track and field program.
The Wolverines saw seven program records fall and 78 new top-10 all-time marks across the distance events under the guidance of Rybka. Grove City also captured the 2023 Women's Cross Country President's Athletic Conference title and swept the 2022 Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field PAC Championships.
Rybka earned her bachelor's degree in business administration from Malone University in 2017. She started coaching with the Pioneers as a student assistant coach. After working at Malone, she spent two seasons in the Rubber City as a volunteer assistant with the Zips. In 2019, she joined the coaching staff at NCAA Division II Ursuline College in Pepper Pike. After two seasons with the Arrows, she joined the staff at Grove City in November 2020.
"I couldn't be more excited and grateful for this opportunity," Rybka said. "I was impressed with the commitment to competition and support of student-athletes from the coaching staff. I am looking forward to being a part of such a strong team."
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