University of Delaware Athletics
Track & Field
Iyevbele, Kenyetta
Kenyetta Iyevbele
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- ksiyevbe@udel.edu
Kenyetta Iyevbele was named the head cross country and track & field coach ahead of the 2022-23 season after previously serving as the department’s assistant coach of the track & field program effective September 14. Iyevbele recently completed her second season overall, first at the helm of the programs, to garner a contract extension through 2026, announced July 19.
When Iyevbele was handed the reigns of the two programs last Sept., she never missed a beat. The 2022 cross country squad finished in fifth place and had two athletes in Sarah Daniels and Autumn Sands land on the All-CAA Team. In the first championship of its kind, Iyevbele flock of Blue Hens tied for sixth place in the CAA Indoor Championships earlier this year and placed four athletes on the All-CAA Team.
Iyevbele's team continued its dominance throughout the outdoor season where the program finished in fifth place at the CAA Outdoor Championships and a program-best five Blue Hens in Megan Albamonti, Myrissa McFolling-Young, Chioma Njoku, Marie-Frederique Poulin and Halima Scott, qualified for the NCAA Track & Field Championships First Rounds. Albamonti, who captured her third-straight CAA gold medal in the javelin throw and made her third-consecutive appearance at the East Regionals, reigned supreme as she advanced to the NCAA Track & Field Championships for the first time in her career. Albamonti finished in ninth place to collect Second Team All-America honors in her National Championship debut. She was also named the CAA Field Athlete of the Year and recently competed at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. at the prestigious Hayward Field. Albamonti's throw of 53.72m proved good enough to secure a spot in the upcoming 2023 NACAC U23 Championships where she will be representing Team USA in San Jose, Costa Rica July 21-23.
In her first year in Delaware, 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 Susanna Weir were able to secure spots in the NCAA East Preliminaries competing in the javelin and 10,000m race, respectively, to round out the Blue Hens impressive campaign.
Iyevbele comes to Newark after most recently spending time (2020-21; 2015-16) as the volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, North Carolina State University. 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 win its first-ever NCAA Championship a few weeks ago, along with being crowned NCAA Southeast Regional and ACC Champions while the track & field team were placed fifth at the ACC Championships last spring.
Prior to her second stint at NC State, Iyevbele served in the capacity of head track & field/cross country coach at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. for two seasons (2017-2019). During her tenure, Iyevbele was responsible for developing and implementing training and strength and conditioning programs for jumps, sprints, middle-distance, and long-distance athletes. Her notable accomplishments in 2019 at the Ivy League Preparatory School League Championships include Boys & Girls Outdoor Track & Field third-place team finishes, Penn Relays 4x100m second-place finishers (boys) and 2019 Penn Relays 4x400m (boys) finishers. At the 2018 Championships, Iyevbele's boys and girls squads each earned the Outdoor Track & Field fourth and fifth place team finishes, respectively.
Post-collegiately, Iyevbele has been competing as a professional track and field runner with Tracksmith (running apparel sponsor)/ASP (Amateur Support Program), specializing in the 800m and 1500m events since March 2021, where she is an Olympic Trials 800m Qualifier. Iyevbele also worked with HOKA (running shoe sponsor) NJNY Track Club for four years (2016-20).
Iyevbele also has an accomplished collegiate resume highlighted by her standout career competing for NC State's track & field/cross country programs. Her accolades include Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field 800m and Distance Medley Relay All American, Cross Country (6K), 2015 Track & Field Olympic Trials 800m Qualifier, 2012-13 NCAA Championship Qualifier, 2011 US Outdoor Track & Field 800m Jr. Champion, 2011 Pan American 800m Jr. Champion, 8x NCAA Track & Field Championship Qualifier and 800m Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field School Record holder. Iyevbele was also a Caterpillar NC State Scholar-Athlete Leadership Board Member and a keynote speaker at Adidas All-American cross country camp five years (2010-15). Iyevbele earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 2015.
A native of Charlotte, N.C., Iyevbele began her professional career in 2015 as a lab associate for Q2 Laboratory Solutions.
When Iyevbele was handed the reigns of the two programs last Sept., she never missed a beat. The 2022 cross country squad finished in fifth place and had two athletes in Sarah Daniels and Autumn Sands land on the All-CAA Team. In the first championship of its kind, Iyevbele flock of Blue Hens tied for sixth place in the CAA Indoor Championships earlier this year and placed four athletes on the All-CAA Team.
Iyevbele's team continued its dominance throughout the outdoor season where the program finished in fifth place at the CAA Outdoor Championships and a program-best five Blue Hens in Megan Albamonti, Myrissa McFolling-Young, Chioma Njoku, Marie-Frederique Poulin and Halima Scott, qualified for the NCAA Track & Field Championships First Rounds. Albamonti, who captured her third-straight CAA gold medal in the javelin throw and made her third-consecutive appearance at the East Regionals, reigned supreme as she advanced to the NCAA Track & Field Championships for the first time in her career. Albamonti finished in ninth place to collect Second Team All-America honors in her National Championship debut. She was also named the CAA Field Athlete of the Year and recently competed at the U.S. Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Ore. at the prestigious Hayward Field. Albamonti's throw of 53.72m proved good enough to secure a spot in the upcoming 2023 NACAC U23 Championships where she will be representing Team USA in San Jose, Costa Rica July 21-23.
In her first year in Delaware, 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 Susanna Weir were able to secure spots in the NCAA East Preliminaries competing in the javelin and 10,000m race, respectively, to round out the Blue Hens impressive campaign.
Iyevbele comes to Newark after most recently spending time (2020-21; 2015-16) as the volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, North Carolina State University. 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 win its first-ever NCAA Championship a few weeks ago, along with being crowned NCAA Southeast Regional and ACC Champions while the track & field team were placed fifth at the ACC Championships last spring.
Prior to her second stint at NC State, Iyevbele served in the capacity of head track & field/cross country coach at The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. for two seasons (2017-2019). During her tenure, Iyevbele was responsible for developing and implementing training and strength and conditioning programs for jumps, sprints, middle-distance, and long-distance athletes. Her notable accomplishments in 2019 at the Ivy League Preparatory School League Championships include Boys & Girls Outdoor Track & Field third-place team finishes, Penn Relays 4x100m second-place finishers (boys) and 2019 Penn Relays 4x400m (boys) finishers. At the 2018 Championships, Iyevbele's boys and girls squads each earned the Outdoor Track & Field fourth and fifth place team finishes, respectively.
Post-collegiately, Iyevbele has been competing as a professional track and field runner with Tracksmith (running apparel sponsor)/ASP (Amateur Support Program), specializing in the 800m and 1500m events since March 2021, where she is an Olympic Trials 800m Qualifier. Iyevbele also worked with HOKA (running shoe sponsor) NJNY Track Club for four years (2016-20).
Iyevbele also has an accomplished collegiate resume highlighted by her standout career competing for NC State's track & field/cross country programs. Her accolades include Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field 800m and Distance Medley Relay All American, Cross Country (6K), 2015 Track & Field Olympic Trials 800m Qualifier, 2012-13 NCAA Championship Qualifier, 2011 US Outdoor Track & Field 800m Jr. Champion, 2011 Pan American 800m Jr. Champion, 8x NCAA Track & Field Championship Qualifier and 800m Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field School Record holder. Iyevbele was also a Caterpillar NC State Scholar-Athlete Leadership Board Member and a keynote speaker at Adidas All-American cross country camp five years (2010-15). Iyevbele earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry in 2015.
A native of Charlotte, N.C., Iyevbele began her professional career in 2015 as a lab associate for Q2 Laboratory Solutions.
Highlight: T&F Home Meet - 4/28/23
Monday, May 01
Built To Win: NGWSD x Community
Tuesday, February 14
Feature: T&F - Black History Month -w/ Kenyetta Iyevbele
Monday, February 06
Delaware Blue Hens All-Sport Video 2021-22
Friday, December 09
