Fey Set to Lead CSM Cross Country
College of Saint Mary (CSM) Athletic Director, Jim Krueger, is excited to announce that Derek Fey will lead the college's cross country program. Fey comes to CSM from Westside Community School District where he has spent six years as a teacher. He served as the head boys' cross country coach and is the head distance coach for the girls' track team.
Under Fey's direction as the head boys' cross country coach, Westside's cross country team grew from 18 runners his first year to a school record roster high of 45 runners in 2013. Coach Fey also led the Warriors to two district titles. Until his arrival, only one district championship had been won since the school's opening in 1951. The 2007 boys cross country team finished 4th at the Nebraska State Cross Country Meet, tying the best finish in school history. Fey coached the 2007 Class A state champion 4 x 800 relay team, as well as the 2008 and 2009 Class A state runner-up 4 x 800 teams. Since he began at Westside, the girls' distance track team has qualified an individual for the state track meet every year.
"I'm extremely excited to join the College of Saint Mary family," Fey said. "Coaching at the college level is very gratifying and I'm looking forward to working with a great group of student-athletes."
Fey is also an accomplished runner himself. At Dana College, Fey was a two-time NAIA All-American in cross country and track. As a post-collegiate runner, he finished runner-up in the Lincoln Half-Marathon (2000), Lincoln Marathon (2004), and Omaha Marathon (2004). In 2009, Fey finished 77th out of 25,000 at the Boston Marathon, running 2:33:45. Recently, Fey completed an 81-mile run from the Salton Sea to Mount Palomar in 24 hours, 32 minutes. He also became the Omaha Marathon Champion in September of 2013 with a 2:35:52. In 2011, Fey published a book about running called We Were Born to Run.
"I am excited to welcome Derek Fey to CSM," commented Athletic Director Jim Krueger. "His coaching experience is outstanding and his contacts in the area for potential recruits will be a great asset to our cross country program."
College of Saint Mary won the 2013 MCAC Cross Country championship and finished 26th at the NAIA National Cross Country meet. The Flames return their top seven runners for next season.
College of Saint Mary athletic teams are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Midland Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC). College of Saint Mary, founded in Omaha in 1923, is the region's only Catholic college for women. With approximately 1,000 students, CSM is dedicated to the education of women in an environment that calls forth potential and fosters leadership.
