Xavier University Athletics
Lauren Etheridge Named Assistant Cross Country/Track and Field Coach
09.01.21 | Cross Country, Track and Field
She was previously the head cross country coach at USC Aiken (2019-21)
CINCINNATI - Lauren Etheridge was recently named assistant coach for the cross country and track and field programs. She was most recently the head cross country coach at USC Aiken for two seasons.
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"Lauren will be a solid addition to our staff!" said Xavier head coach Sam Burroughs. "Her pervious leadership and head coach experience will prove valuable as we look to elevate the future of our programs. In addition, Lauren's nationally recognized strength and conditioning certifications will add another level of the professional service we can provide to our athletes."
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In the spring of 2021, she guided the women's cross country team to an eighth-place finish at the Peach Belt Conference Championships – the team's highest finish since 2011. She restarted the program in 2019 after a one-year hiatus (the women did not have a team in 2018).
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Etheridge also restarted the men's program in the fall of 2019 after a 20-year hiatus. All told, she helped 17 student-athletes establish new personal-best times from 2020-21.
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Off the course, the team had 10 runners earn PBC All-Academic team honors in 2020-21. The women's team also posted a department-leading 3.67 grade point average, while the men recorded a 3.24 grade point average.
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At USC Aiken, she also served as the school's first head strength and conditioning coach. She focused on sports performance and injury prevention for all 10 teams.
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Prior to USC Aiken, she was a graduate assistant cross country coach at Auburn University at Montgomery (2017-18). She was also a member of the strength and conditioning staff at AUM.
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Etheridge holds the following certifications: CSCS Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certified-NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association, USA Track and Field Level 1 Certified, ACE Personal Trainer Certified, Nutritional Specialist through ACE and CPR/AED Certified.
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Etheridge holds a bachelor's degree in health and wellness from UNC Asheville ('17) and master's degree in exercise science from AUM ('19).
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"Lauren will be a solid addition to our staff!" said Xavier head coach Sam Burroughs. "Her pervious leadership and head coach experience will prove valuable as we look to elevate the future of our programs. In addition, Lauren's nationally recognized strength and conditioning certifications will add another level of the professional service we can provide to our athletes."
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In the spring of 2021, she guided the women's cross country team to an eighth-place finish at the Peach Belt Conference Championships – the team's highest finish since 2011. She restarted the program in 2019 after a one-year hiatus (the women did not have a team in 2018).
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Etheridge also restarted the men's program in the fall of 2019 after a 20-year hiatus. All told, she helped 17 student-athletes establish new personal-best times from 2020-21.
Â
Off the course, the team had 10 runners earn PBC All-Academic team honors in 2020-21. The women's team also posted a department-leading 3.67 grade point average, while the men recorded a 3.24 grade point average.
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At USC Aiken, she also served as the school's first head strength and conditioning coach. She focused on sports performance and injury prevention for all 10 teams.
Â
Prior to USC Aiken, she was a graduate assistant cross country coach at Auburn University at Montgomery (2017-18). She was also a member of the strength and conditioning staff at AUM.
Â
Etheridge holds the following certifications: CSCS Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Certified-NSCA National Strength and Conditioning Association, USA Track and Field Level 1 Certified, ACE Personal Trainer Certified, Nutritional Specialist through ACE and CPR/AED Certified.
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Etheridge holds a bachelor's degree in health and wellness from UNC Asheville ('17) and master's degree in exercise science from AUM ('19).
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