Director of track, field and cross country Petros Kyprianou announced on Monday (July 22) the hiring of Chase Kappeler, who will be an assistant coach for cross country and track, as well as assisting in operations duties.

Kappeler comes to Illinois after spending the last four years competing on the Virginia Tech track & field and cross country teams. She earned Second-Team All-ACC honors in the 3000m steeplechase at the 2022 ACC Outdoor Championships with her sixth-place finish on Virginia Tech’s third-fastest program time (10:06.28).

The Springfield, Va., native enters her first year of coaching and reunites with her former coach, Eric Johannigmeier, who she will assist with the distance crew. Additionally, Kappeler will work alongside director of operations Courtney Hill as an operations assistant.