Popp Adjusting To Coaching Life

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State assistant track and cross country coach Kristy Popp was born to coach. As a child, she tagged along to high school cross country meets with her father, Jerry, a high school coach. In high school, she ran under the tutelage of her father. He instilled a spirited pursuit of excellence into her every step. Now in her first year as a collegiate coach, Popp looks to bring that inspiration to the Iowa State cross country and track and field program.

"Some of the experiences I had throughout college really convinced me that (coaching) is something that I could do," Popp said. "My father is a great role model for me. He taught me to have high expectations, but reasonable ones, and has always been a theme he has preached."

In high school, Popp was a two-time state champion in the 800-meter run. She also led her high school cross country team to four straight titles, finishing runner-up individually twice. The valedictorian of her senior class, Popp chose to run at Valparaiso University. There she competed in cross country and track for the Crusaders for three years before starting grad school and using her final year of eligibility at Minnesota. Popp received her masters degree in exercise physiology from the Minnesota in 2007.

After receiving her masters degree, Popp served as the assistant and principle investigator on several clinical and research studies at Minnesota. She received her Ph.D. from Minnesota in 2009.

Popp's first coaching experience was at Mounds View High School in Arden Hills, Minn., where she served as the assistant cross country coach and distance coach for the track and field program.

"At the high school level I think the issues you deal with are different," Popp said. "(At ISU) I feel like there's a little bit more responsibility on the coaching staff to make sure that everyone's taken care of and getting what they need academically and athletically."

Popp's athletic and educational background garnered attention from Ihmels, however his interest did not come out of thin air. Popp's father took a group of North Dakota runners, including Ihmels, to the Regional Footlocker Meet, then the Kinney meet when Ihmels was in high school. Ihmels knew right away that Popp would fit in perfectly to the distance program at Iowa State.

"(Kristy) has made a tremendous impact on our cross country and our distance program during the short time she's been here," Ihmels said. "She's going to do a great job for us."

The addition of Popp allows three coaches to focus on an ever growing roster of distance runners on the Cyclones' cross country and track and field rosters. As well as coaching, Popp is managing much of the administrative work for the cross country and track and field teams. Whatever it is, Ihmels and company are making sure that Popp feels right at home.

"Coach Ihmels has been really good with making sure that I have a role on the team," Popp said. "In terms of the coaching, it's definitely nice to have (Ihmels) ask for input on workouts and which people to race."

While Popp has only been on the staff for a few months now, her impact has shown. Popp's indelible means to push student-athletes to the brink of their potential, academically and athletically, will prove to be a strong asset as the Iowa State distance program builds on its storied legacy.

Iowa State University Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors