RC’s Kathy Graham awarded NJCAA’s national Coach of the Year accolades

(Courtesy of Tommy Wells, Ranger College)

Ranger College head cross country coach Kathy Graham wasn't expecting to be named the 2020 NJCAA Women's National Coach of the Year. In fact, she wasn't even sure she would even be at the national meet due to be quarantined for COVID-19 precautions just a few days before the event.
She made the trip to Fort Dodge, Iowa, however. With the help of assistant coach Alfonso Rangel, she guided the RC women to the top of the Division I world. The Lady Rangers edged out pre-race favorite Cloud County Community College by one point, 75-76, for the national championship trophy.
"We want to congratulate Coach Graham for being selected the Coach of the Year," said RC President William J. Campion. "Both she and her team have represented Ranger College well."
A longtime collegiate coach, Graham has transformed RC into a cross-country/track powerhouse since taking over the program. The Ranger College men's and women's teams are consistently ranked among the top in the nation,
Graham (who is shown at left presenting the NJCAA Women's National Championship trophy to RC Board of Regents President Jackie Stephens and RC President Dr. William Campion) said she was honored to have been chosen, but said the award really belongs to her athletes and the faculty and staff at the college that work hard to ensure her team got the opportunity to compete this fall.
In addition, Graham was also presented the 2020 Coach of the Meet award for her efforts in guiding RC to the win. Graham said the "Coach of the Meet" award was shared by both she and Rangel, whom she praised for his hard work and dedication to the program.
Iowa Central Community College's Dee Brown was the men's Coach of the Year recipient. Brown's top runner, Kevin Bungei was tabbed the men's Athlete of the Year. Iowa Western's Faith Ling was the women's Athlete of the Year selection.