Asbury University

Randy Crist (Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach: 18th Year / Head Men's and Women's Track and Field Coach: 2nd Year)

Coaching Mission:

• Serving Christ, developing positive character, and having fun, through the platform of athletes. 

Education / Coaching Credentials:

• Taylor University - B.S. in Physical Education and Biology
• Georgetown College - M.S. in Education
• University of Kentucky - Ed.D. in Exercise Science
• USATF Level 1 Certification

• Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach (Asbury University 2008-Present)
• Anderson County High School (1980-1995)
• West Jessamine High School (2000-2010) (Asbury University 2006-2009)
• Coached 3 state champions in cross country and 22 individual state champions in track & field, including five in the mile.

TeamAU History:

• Head Cross Country Coach 2008-Present
• Three children attended Asbury and participated in Asbury Athletics

Personal:

• Spending time with wife (Sarahlynn), children and grandchildren. I closely follow world-class track & field, UK sports, and the NFL.
• Officiate Track & Field on both the high school and national level.
• Favorite Bible verse, Philippians 4:13 - "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."
• (Hometown) Wilmore, KY & New Carlisle, OH

• 2024 Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year (View Story Here)

More:

Randy Crist is beginning his 18th year in 2025-26 at the helm of the Asbury men’s and women’s cross country programs and his 42nd overall in coaching. In addition, Crist enters his second season in leadership of the AU men's and women's track and field teams. 

Crist was named the 2024 Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year, after the Eagles took first place in the CCS Championship in Clinton, Miss. 

Both AU cross country teams competed in the NCAA DIII Great Lakes Regional and also in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship. 

During his time at Asbury, Crist has helped 18 runners qualify for the NAIA National Championship Meet and has had two teams (2024 and 2014 women's squads) win the conference championships. 

Prior to Asbury, Crist coached at Anderson County High School from 1980-1995 and at West Jessamine High School from 2000-2010. He has coached three state champions in cross country and 22 individual state champions in track & field, including five in the mile.

Crist was named the 1983 Kentucky Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year and earned the Scholastic Coach National High School Coaching Award in 1989. He has been named Regional Coach of the Year 21 times in either cross country or track & field and was inducted into the Kentucky Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998.

Along with his wife Sarahlynn, he has four children and currently resides in Wilmore.