Dayton Flyers

The University of Dayton has announced that Ann Alyanak is stepping down as UD’s women’s cross country coach to devote more time to her family and running career.

After six seasons as UD’s coach, Alyanak is literally going out on top.  The 2009 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, her Flyer women’s cross country team won the Atlantic 10 Championship for its first time in the program’s history.  They were also awarded the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Academic All-American Team achieving a team average GPA of 3.57, one of the highest in the country. Alyanak never fielded a team who failed to achieve the national academic distinction.

A Big Ten champion in cross country and track while at Purdue, Alyanak has become one of the top female distance runners in the United States in recent years.  She placed ninth in the 2007 Boston Marathon, qualified for the 2008 Olympic trials and has represented the U.S. in world championship competitions in Asia and Europe.

In addition, Ann and her husband Ed have an eight-month-old son, Eddie

 “My years here at UD have been enjoyable and memorable ones,”  Alyanak said.  “The support and encouragement I received from the entire athletics department both for the team and my personal endeavors has just been amazing.  The commitment to pursue my personal running goals, balanced with my family priorities, made this decision necessary.  I’m proud of the progress we made while I’ve been at UD and very proud of the young women who ran in our program.”

“Having Ann as our coach the last six years has been tremendous,” UD Associate Director of Athletics Joe Owens said.  “Not only with the results her team has produced, but as an elite athlete herself, as a role model for all of our female student-athletes.  She’s leaving UD with our gratitude and best wishes, and all of us at the University of Dayton are looking forward to following her in her running career.”

A search to replace Alyanak will begin immediately.