Kent State University at East Liverpool Women's Cross Country

Laura Rybka was named an assistant coach for the Kent State track and field program in July 2024. In addition to training mid-distance and distance members of the track and field teams, she serves head coach for the cross country team.s Rybka joins the Golden Flashes from NCAA Division III Grove City College, where she spent four seasons on the coaching staff, 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.

Kent State Director of Track and Field Nathan Fanger Previews the 2026 MAC Outdoor ChampionshipKent State Director of Track and Field Nathan Fanger Previews the 2026 MAC Outdoor Championship Tuesday, May 12

Long regarded as one of the top throws coaches in the country, Kent State graduate Nathan Fanger ’00 was named Director of Track/Field and Cross Country in J...