Hansen Named Interim Head Coach of Gonzaga Women’s Cross Country
8/10/2026 1:00:00 PM | Cross Country
Utah native was on the Gonzaga staff during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons
SPOKANE, Wash. – McKenna Hansen has been named interim head coach of the Gonzaga University women's cross country program.
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"I'm very excited to work with this group of women," Hansen said. "There is so much strength and potential in this program and I look forward to seeing what happens when we go all in with, and for, each other."
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Hansen served as the Zags' graduate assistant during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, helping guide Gonzaga through a historic 2024 campaign that included six meet titles, the program's third conference championship, its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2015 and a program-best No. 16 national ranking. In 2023, the Zags climbed to No. 27 nationally and No. 4 in the West Region, finished second at the conference championships and fifth at the NCAA West Regional. During the 2023 and 2024 cross country seasons, Gonzaga earned four All-Region honors and seven All-Conference selections.
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On the track, the Bulldogs recorded three combined All-America finishes in 2024 and 2025, while 11 student-athletes advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
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"We're excited to welcome McKenna back to Gonzaga," Deputy Athletic Director Shannon Strahl said. "Her familiarity with our student-athletes and our program make her an excellent fit as we return a talented roster and begin an exciting new chapter in the Pac-12 Conference."
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Hansen earned a bachelor's degree in strategic business management with a minor in family studies from BYU before completing a master's degree in organizational leadership at Gonzaga. As a student-athlete at BYU, she helped the Cougars win the 2020 NCAA Cross Country National Championship and finish as national runner-up in 2021. A three-time All-Conference selection, she competed at three conference championships and three NCAA Championships.
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Before competing at BYU, Hansen won the 2018 UHSAA 6A cross country state championship and placed 17th at the 2015 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
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Hansen will immediately oversee preparations for the 2026 cross country season, which opens Sept. 4 with the Clash of the Inland Northwest at The Course in Spokane Valley.
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Gonzaga plans to conduct a national search this fall for its next head coach of women's cross country and track.
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"I'm very excited to work with this group of women," Hansen said. "There is so much strength and potential in this program and I look forward to seeing what happens when we go all in with, and for, each other."
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Hansen served as the Zags' graduate assistant during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, helping guide Gonzaga through a historic 2024 campaign that included six meet titles, the program's third conference championship, its first NCAA Championship appearance since 2015 and a program-best No. 16 national ranking. In 2023, the Zags climbed to No. 27 nationally and No. 4 in the West Region, finished second at the conference championships and fifth at the NCAA West Regional. During the 2023 and 2024 cross country seasons, Gonzaga earned four All-Region honors and seven All-Conference selections.
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On the track, the Bulldogs recorded three combined All-America finishes in 2024 and 2025, while 11 student-athletes advanced to the NCAA West Preliminary Round.
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"We're excited to welcome McKenna back to Gonzaga," Deputy Athletic Director Shannon Strahl said. "Her familiarity with our student-athletes and our program make her an excellent fit as we return a talented roster and begin an exciting new chapter in the Pac-12 Conference."
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Hansen earned a bachelor's degree in strategic business management with a minor in family studies from BYU before completing a master's degree in organizational leadership at Gonzaga. As a student-athlete at BYU, she helped the Cougars win the 2020 NCAA Cross Country National Championship and finish as national runner-up in 2021. A three-time All-Conference selection, she competed at three conference championships and three NCAA Championships.
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Before competing at BYU, Hansen won the 2018 UHSAA 6A cross country state championship and placed 17th at the 2015 Foot Locker Cross Country Championships.
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Hansen will immediately oversee preparations for the 2026 cross country season, which opens Sept. 4 with the Clash of the Inland Northwest at The Course in Spokane Valley.
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Gonzaga plans to conduct a national search this fall for its next head coach of women's cross country and track.
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Tuesday, June 30
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Monday, June 29
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