University of Delaware Athletics
Waite Stepping Down, Iyevbele Promoted to Cross Country and Track & Field Head Coach
9/14/2022 5:00:00 PM | Women's Cross Country, Track & Field
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware head cross country and track & field coach Ryan Waite has announced that he will be stepping down as the Blue Hens leader. Waite has accepted the position of Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Brigham Young University (BYU). Chrissi Rawak, Director of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation has named Kenyetta Iyevbele to the role.
"Coach Waite has been an integral part of our track & field and cross country programs since 2016. His commitment and dedication to improving our teams is a testament to his hard work and passion," said Rawak. "I want to thank Ryan and his family for their support of Delaware Athletics and wish them the very best."
Waite, a member of the Blue Hens cross country and track & field staff since October 2016, coached Delaware to several new school records on the track and in the field, as the Blue Hens have become a dominant opponent up and down the east region.
"Delaware will always hold a special place in my heart. I can say with full conviction that I am Blue Hen Built," said Waite. "I have grown so much in these six years because of the opportunities I have received and the people I have been able to work with. From the student-athletes, to fellow coaches, to the athletic administration, these are some of the greatest people I have ever associated with. I will be watching the results closely as I transition from coach to fan and wish the team all the best moving forward."
During his time at Delaware, Waite had at least one distance runner qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships or NCAA East Prelims every year that he has coached at UD. Most recently, Susanna Weir (2022) qualified for the east prelims in the 10,000 meters and Holly Manning (2021) in the 800 meters. Megan Albamonti qualified for the east prelims in 2022 and competed at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. at the prestigious Hayward Field. Blue Hen alumna Michaela Meyer placed fourth at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 800 meters, just one spot shy of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. Internationally, Holly Manning won the 2022 New Zealand National Championship in the 800 meters and Marie-Frederique Poulin competed at the Canada National Championships in the 400-meter hurdles this past June.
"I'm excited that Coach Iyevbele will take over the reins of the cross country and track & field programs," said Rawak. "She has made a tremendous impact on the team since her arrival and I can't wait to see our teams excel under her leadership."
Iyevbele will serve as head cross country and track and field coach. Iyevbele is in her second season with the Blue Hens, where she has worked with the sprints and distance runners. During her first season, Iyevbele helped coach the 2021-22 track & field team to a second-place finish at the CAA Outdoor Championships with Albamonti capturing most Outstanding Field Athlete. Albamonti and Weir were able to secure spots in the NCAA East Preliminaries competing in the javelin and 10,000 meters, respectively, to round out the Blue Hens impressive campaign.
"I am beyond thrilled to be given this opportunity to lead the cross country and track and field programs," said Iyevbele. "I would like to thank the athletic administration for trusting me to continue the momentum of last year's success. Coach Waite led both programs to new heights and historical team achievements, which we are looking forward to continuing through the current and upcoming seasons and he will certainly be missed. It is with great pleasure that I appoint Coach Melanie Heslop as our Associate Head Track and Field Coach, as she will continue to play a major role in the team's growth and development. We are Blue Hen Built and will continue striving for greatness."
Iyevbele arrived in Newark after assisting her alma mater, North Carolina State University for two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach, where she worked alongside United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year, Laurie Henes. Iyevbele helped Henes guide the 2021 women's cross country squad to its first-ever NCAA Championship, along with being crowned NCAA Southeast Regional and ACC Champions while the track & field team placed fifth at the ACC Championships.
Heslop is in her second season on the Delaware staff coaching the throwers and has played an integral part in the continued development of two-time CAA javelin champion Albamonti. Albamonti has set several personal and program records since her arrival and has advanced to the NCAA East Preliminaries.
BLUE HENS on SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on University of Delaware Cross Country/Track and Field, follow the Blue Hens via social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. #BlueHens
"Coach Waite has been an integral part of our track & field and cross country programs since 2016. His commitment and dedication to improving our teams is a testament to his hard work and passion," said Rawak. "I want to thank Ryan and his family for their support of Delaware Athletics and wish them the very best."
Waite, a member of the Blue Hens cross country and track & field staff since October 2016, coached Delaware to several new school records on the track and in the field, as the Blue Hens have become a dominant opponent up and down the east region.
"Delaware will always hold a special place in my heart. I can say with full conviction that I am Blue Hen Built," said Waite. "I have grown so much in these six years because of the opportunities I have received and the people I have been able to work with. From the student-athletes, to fellow coaches, to the athletic administration, these are some of the greatest people I have ever associated with. I will be watching the results closely as I transition from coach to fan and wish the team all the best moving forward."
During his time at Delaware, Waite had at least one distance runner qualify for the NCAA Indoor Championships or NCAA East Prelims every year that he has coached at UD. Most recently, Susanna Weir (2022) qualified for the east prelims in the 10,000 meters and Holly Manning (2021) in the 800 meters. Megan Albamonti qualified for the east prelims in 2022 and competed at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. at the prestigious Hayward Field. Blue Hen alumna Michaela Meyer placed fourth at the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 800 meters, just one spot shy of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics. Internationally, Holly Manning won the 2022 New Zealand National Championship in the 800 meters and Marie-Frederique Poulin competed at the Canada National Championships in the 400-meter hurdles this past June.
"I'm excited that Coach Iyevbele will take over the reins of the cross country and track & field programs," said Rawak. "She has made a tremendous impact on the team since her arrival and I can't wait to see our teams excel under her leadership."
Iyevbele will serve as head cross country and track and field coach. Iyevbele is in her second season with the Blue Hens, where she has worked with the sprints and distance runners. During her first season, Iyevbele helped coach the 2021-22 track & field team to a second-place finish at the CAA Outdoor Championships with Albamonti capturing most Outstanding Field Athlete. Albamonti and Weir were able to secure spots in the NCAA East Preliminaries competing in the javelin and 10,000 meters, respectively, to round out the Blue Hens impressive campaign.
"I am beyond thrilled to be given this opportunity to lead the cross country and track and field programs," said Iyevbele. "I would like to thank the athletic administration for trusting me to continue the momentum of last year's success. Coach Waite led both programs to new heights and historical team achievements, which we are looking forward to continuing through the current and upcoming seasons and he will certainly be missed. It is with great pleasure that I appoint Coach Melanie Heslop as our Associate Head Track and Field Coach, as she will continue to play a major role in the team's growth and development. We are Blue Hen Built and will continue striving for greatness."
Iyevbele arrived in Newark after assisting her alma mater, North Carolina State University for two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach, where she worked alongside United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year, Laurie Henes. Iyevbele helped Henes guide the 2021 women's cross country squad to its first-ever NCAA Championship, along with being crowned NCAA Southeast Regional and ACC Champions while the track & field team placed fifth at the ACC Championships.
Heslop is in her second season on the Delaware staff coaching the throwers and has played an integral part in the continued development of two-time CAA javelin champion Albamonti. Albamonti has set several personal and program records since her arrival and has advanced to the NCAA East Preliminaries.
BLUE HENS on SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on University of Delaware Cross Country/Track and Field, follow the Blue Hens via social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. #BlueHens
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