Chris Layne Head Coach Cross Country Track and Field

In nine seasons at the helm of Milligan's cross country and track programs, the Buffs and Lady Buffs have earned over 100 national championship qualifiers to go along with more than 30 All-American honors.

In 2007, the Lady Buffs ran to a 3rd place finish at the NAIA Cross Country National Championships, the highest-ever finish by a Milligan athletic team. A year later, the women returned to the NAIA National Championships, this time joined by the men's team. The women's encore performance found them in fourth place overall, while the men recorded their highest finish ever at 16th. In 2003, freshman Marta Zimon (Lodz, Poland) earned Milligan's first national title in any sport by winning the 5000 meter NAIA indoor title. In 2001-2002, senior Philip Rotich, from Kenya, became the first-ever three-time All-American in Milligan history when he finished 10th at the NAIA cross country Championships, 2nd in the mile at the indoor national championships, and 2nd in the 800 meters at the outdoor national championships. Coach Layne has coached over 60 different athletes to national championship qualifiers at Milligan College and East Tennessee State University. The Lady Buffs earned the NAIA National Champions of Character Award during the 2006 cross country and 2007 indoor track seasons, while both squads have earned numerous academic honors throughout Layne's coaching campaign.

In addition to his collegiate coaching accomplishments, in 2007, Layne coached former Texas A&M All-American Melissa Cook, now running for New Balance, to personal bests of 4:14 (1500m), 15:34 (5k), and 32:31 (10k). In 2004, Layne coached his wife, Catherine, who currently runs for Nike, to a 5000 meter victory at the British Olympic Trials. She went on to run the Olympic Games B standard with a personal best time of 15:19 at the Huesden Grand Prix meet in Belgium that same year.

While a collegian, he was named to the All-Southern Conference and All-Ohio Valley Conference Teams in the 400 meters, 800 meters, 4 x 100m relay, and 4 x 400m relay. In 1992, as a member of the Middle Tennessee State University 4 x 100 meter relay and 4 x 200 meter relay teams, the Blue Raiders finished third and fifth respectively at the prestigious Penn Relays. The 4 x 200 meter relay would go on to earn a world ranking by Track and Field News. Post collegiately, he competed in the 1996 USA Indoor Track and Field Championships in the 4 x 400 meter relay.

Contact Coach Layne at cclayne@milligan.edu or 423.461.8992.

Jim Presnell Assistant Coach Cross Country Track and Field

Coach Presnell comes to Milligan College after being at the helm of the Elizabethton High School's cross country and track and field programs for 22 years. Presnell will assist in coaching one of the NAIA's premier college programs.

A former state champion in the discus, along with being a University of Tennessee track champion, Presnell saw much success as a student-athlete at Elizabethton High School.

As a coach, Presnell led the Cyclones to a state championship and several top-five finishes. He also coached 22 individual athletes to state championship appearances. In 2005, he received "Coach of the Year" accolades and was nominated as the "National Coach of the Year." In the last five years alone, 13 of Presnell's student-athletes have received athletic scholarships and went on to compete at the collegiate level.

Outside of coaching, Presnell has held numerous positions within the Elizabethton city school district such as athletic director, transportation director and work-based learning coordinator. He will continue to serve in a teaching capacity within the school system.

Presnell holds a bachelor's degree in education from East Tennessee State University and has completed several hours towards a master's degree. Presnell and his wife, Karen, reside in Elizabethton.

Contact Coach Presnell at JVPresnell@milligan.edu or 423.461.8992.