Lourdes University athletics director, Janet Eaton, has announced the hiring of Cheryl McLean as the Gray Wolves' head cross country and track and field coach.
 
"I am excited for the opportunity to take over the cross country and track and field programs at Lourdes," McLean said.  "I think Lourdes is a hidden gem and am really excited to be a part of the community."
 
McLean arrives at Lourdes having spent the past seven seasons as the head girls cross country coach at Dexter High School in Michigan while also serving as the assistant track and field coach for five years.  Her teams qualified for the state championships three times under her guidance, finishing as high as 17^th in Division I in 2014.  That same season her team earned Academic All-State honors as a team, finishing second overall in Michigan.  In two other seasons, McLean had individuals qualify for the Michigan state meet.
 
"I am excited to have Coach McLean join our team here at Lourdes," Eaton stated.  "Her experience both as a coach and as a runner will allow her to push our student-athletes to succeed."
 
An experience runner herself, McLean was a professional track athlete competing in national and international races.  She competed in the 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon.  During her collegiate career, McLean earned NAIA All-American honors in both cross country and track.  She then transferred to the University of Michigan where she earned All-Big Ten accolades and served as a team captain as a senior.
 
McLean is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in sports management and communications and earned her master's degree in special education from the University of Toledo.