Hartsville, S.C. – Coker College is pleased to announce the hiring of Keith Solverson as the new Head Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Coach of Coker College. Solverson takes over the Coker Cross Country programs after the departure of Ley Fletcher to Lees-McRae College.

Solverson, a native of Fort Dodge, Iowa, comes to Coker after two seasons as the assistant coach of the DePauw University's men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams. While at DePauw Keith earned his Masters of Arts in Sports Management from Indiana State University and prior to Indiana State he received his Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education at Wartburg College.

“I am very excited about coming to Coker College,” said Solverson. “This is a great opportunity for me to be a head coach at a small school. I am looking forward to getting started and facing all the challenges that await me as I begin my head coaching career.”

As a runner at Wartburg, Solverson was a NCAA Division III Cross Country All-American, a three-time Cross Country National Qualifier, three-time Cross County All-Region selection and IIAC Cross Country Champion and current meet record holder.

“Coach Solverson’s experience with his previous university as assistant coach has prepared him well to become a head coach at a NCAA Division II program like Coker College,” said Coker Director of Athletics, Tim Griggs. “We feel that he will be an excellent recruiter and leader for our men’s and women’s cross country programs.”

Coach Solverson and the Cobras will have no time to waste preparing for the 2008 season, as the first meet of the season will be on Friday, August 29 in Columbia, S.C. The Cobras will be competing in the University of South Carolina’s Gamecock Invitational. The women’s team is the defending Division II Champions of the Gamecock Invitational, while the men’s team came in second last year.