Patty Vavra named MIAA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year

Kansas City, Mo. -- Missouri Southern women's track and cross country coach Patty Vavra has been named the 2008 MIAA Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year as voted on by her coaches in the league.

Vavra, in her 15th season as the Lions' head coach, led the Lions to their third straight MIAA title, her fourth overall.

The Lions are ranked 8th nationally and first in the NCAA Division II South Central Region. Southern had all five scoring runners in the top 15, including the champion in junior Kimi Shank (Rolla, Mo.). Two other runners made the top 10. They won the title by 30 points over Pittsburg State.

This is the seventh MIAA Coach of the Year award for Vavra -- fourth for women's cross country. She also has two for women's indoor track and one for women's outdoor track.

The Lions will look to defend their South Central Regional Championship next week as the team travels to San Antonio for the Regional Meet.