Fort Lewis College Athletics

Gacen Key has joined the crossc ountry/track & field staff as an Associate Head Coach

Gracen Key joins Skyhawks as associate head cross country/track and field coach

5/30/2024 12:00:00 PM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD-Communications

DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College Department of Athletics is thrilled to welcome Gracen Key as its associate head coach of the cross country and track and field programs.

"I am thrilled for the opportunity to be part of the Fort Lewis College distance programs! Shawn Jakubowski and the athletes have worked incredibly hard to elevate the program over the past few years. I aim to build upon their success in collaboration with Head Coach Dalton Graham. Fort Lewis College is a hidden gem and I look forward to showing the community, conference, and nation the quality of student-athlete that can emerge from FLC."

- Gracen Key, Associate Head Coach

Key joins the Fort Lewis staff after spending the 2023-24 academic year at fellow Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference institution, Western Colorado University. Under her guidance, the Mountaineers continued their dominance on the national stage—placing fourth at cross country nationals, 22^nd at indoor track nationals, and compiling numerous All-Americans across XC, Indoor, and Outdoor track. The men's team placed fifth at cross country nationals, 10^th at indoor track nationals, and added to the All-American totals at outdoor nationals.

Before joining Western Colorado, Key was an instrumental piece of the puzzle on the coaching staff at her alma mater—West Texas A&M. She served as a primary recruiter for the cross country and track programs, significantly expanding the roster on the men's and women's side. Key assisted in program operations, team travel, and coordination while hosting both high school and collegiate meets.

As a collegiate student-athlete for the Lady Buffs, Key was part of the 2020 Lone Star Conference indoor track and field championship team, placing fifth in the mile. Additionally, she was a contributor on a pair of LSC runner-up squads in cross country (2019, 2020). In her first season coaching the cross country programs, West Texas A&M's women's team advanced to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2013.

Key earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from West Texas A&M in 2021 and is certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).

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