Jackie Bauters enters her fourth year at the helm of the Belles cross country program.
A 2004 graduate of Saint Mary’s, Bauters was a three-year member of the cross country squad. In 2001 she was named to the MIAA second-team all-conference squad. In addition, she was named to the MIAA academic honor roll on three occasions. She also served as the team captain her senior year.
In each of the past two seasons she coached Megan Gray to the NCAA Division III Championship race. It was the first time that Saint Mary's had a runner run in the National Championship event. Both Gray and Sara Otto earned MIAA All-Conference honors in 2006 in becoming the second and third Saint Mary's harriers to earn such an accolade.
Last year she guided the squad to the team title at the Thunder and Benedictine Invitationals. Saint Mary’s also posted a College best fourth place finish at the MIAA Championships last year.
“The cross country program at Saint Mary’s is steadily headed in a positive direction and as an alumna it means a lot to me,” Bauters said. “Being able to steadily progress toward the top tier of the MIAA during my tenure has been a great thrill.”
After graduating from Saint Mary’s, the Highland Heights, Ohio, native served as an assistant coach at Ithaca College (NY) while earning her Master’s degree in sports psychology. During the 2005 season, she help guide the Bombers squad to an appearance at the NCAA championships.
