Deanna Bradley, athletic director at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) has announced that Danelle Readinger of Terre Haute has been hired to serve as the head coach for the College’s new cross-country team.

"Danelle is a tremendous addition to our coaching staff,” Bradley said. “She brings unlimited expertise to the cross-country program and continues to be an elite runner herself. She is well known on the local, regional and national levels, and she is the head coach for a local running club, the Terre Haute Tigers.”

Readinger said that she is thrilled to be coaching at SMWC, but she admits she was hesitant when she was first introduced to the opportunity.

“Running is a passion and love, and coaching is a dream that has come true for me. The position at SMWC fits perfect,” Readinger said. “Many people called me about the position opening, but I was hesitant at first. To be honest, I prayed that God would give me a sign that this was the next step for me. What can I say, I am here and excited to do what I love!”

Readinger is an accomplished runner and coach. In 1998, she earned the title of Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Champion for indoor and outdoor 800-meter, and five years ago, she started the Terre Haute Tigers track club for youth runners.

“This is a team I created to work with the young runners in our community on fundamentals, biomechanics and mental toughness,” Readinger said. “We have grown tremendously over the past five years from 6 to 50 participants ages 5 to 18.

“Helping out with many other colleges, coaches, and athletes with USA Track and Field over the past 3 years has given me great experience and well, put me in the right place at the right time to be here at SMWC,” Readinger continued.

Readinger successfully coordinated a USA Track & Field (USATF) Junior Olympic Regional in the fall of 2007, and she has a bid in for the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic Cross-Country Nationals.

Currently, Readinger and her assistant coach, Aaron Ballenger, are hitting the recruiting trails hard and will no doubt field a competitive team for the Fall 2009 season.

“We are currently in the middle of most high school cross-country seasons, so daily we are working to make new contacts with interested seniors,” Readinger said. “SMWC has a lot to offer a young lady.”