E-Mail Address: feezelca@whitman.edu
As a senior in high school, she qualified for the Colorado state track championships in both the 400 and 800 meters. Rather than run the risk of spreading her energies too thin, she competed in the 800 meters only and came away with a state title.
Now, a decade later, after earning NCAA All-American honors in cross country and completing her undergraduate degree in kinesiology at the University of Colorado, Feezell still projects the same energy and enthusiasm that drove her to athletic excellence as a teenager.
Feezell joined the Whitman College cross country program as an assistant coach in the fall of 1996, bringing with her a coaching philosophy based on consistent, honest effort. "Always try your best," she said. "Finish every race and practice unless you're hurt. Never give up."
In her first season as a Whitman cross country assistant, Feezell ran with the women's team two days a week. She did most of her coaching in workouts, although she traveled with the team at times and even ran in a few meets as an unattached competitor.
Feezell said she enjoyed the role that comes with being a veteran runner with advice to pass along to younger athletes. She also appreciated the chance to run in team workouts.
"I love running with them," she said. "I almost feel like I'm part of the team."
Following the retirement of long-time coach Keith Jensen, Feezell ascended to Whitman's head coaching spot in July, 1997. "I've always wanted to be a coach," she said. "For me, this really is a dream come true."
Her first season in the top spot promises to be interesting in more ways than one. She and husband Travis, the baseball coach at Whitman, are expecting their second child in early November (their first child, Jackson, was born Dec. 31, 1994).
"Everyone is being very understanding and supportive," she said. "I'll have a lot of support this fall, especially from my husband."
Curtis Steinback, her assistant coach this fall, also has the experience to assume full responsibility for the cross country team if necessary. Steinback was a standout runner at Walla Walla High School who recently completed his running career at Whitman.
"Curtis has more experience with our conference than I do," Feezell said. "If I'm not able to go to the conference championships in November, there is no doubt Curtis could take the team and do a good job. He's going to be a great person to have on hand."
Feezell began her own running career at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, Colorado, where she graduated in 1985. She attended the University of Colorado on a cross country and track scholarship, and in 1986 she placed 23rd at the 1986 NCAA Division I cross country championships to earn All-American honors. She also was invited that year to the junior elite distance runners camp at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
After lettering four years in both sports at the University of Colorado, Feezell graduated in 1990 with a degree in kinesiology. In 1992, she began a master's degree in education at Wayland Baptist University, where she also served as an assistant coach in the school's nationally-recognized women's track and cross country programs.
She added to her coaching experience in 1994-95, working as an assistant coach at DePaul University in Chicago.