Dr. Lester Zook, Head Coach (20th Season - Messiah '82)

The 2008 season marks the 20th year for Dr. Lester Zook at the helm of the Eastern Mennonite University cross country program. He was named cross country head coach in 1988 and has garnered four Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Coach of the Year honors (1988, 1989, 1993, 2001) during his tenure.

Lester had an illustrious collegiate career at Messiah College in Pennsylvania where he participated four years on both the cross country and track and field teams from 1978-1982, serving as team captain for several years. On the track, he was the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Champion in both the 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter runs during the 1982 season. He also participated in the 1982 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III National Championships in the 10,000 meter run. Due to his accomplishments, Lester was named as a charter inductee into the Messiah College Athletic Hall of Honor.

After earning his bachelor of arts degree in health and physical education from Messiah, Lester went on to complete his master of education in recreation and leisure programming at Temple University. Afterwards he took on his first coaching assignment as head track coach at Christopher Dock Mennonite High School in Lansdale, Pa. from 1987-1988.

Lester has worn many hats since joining EMU in 1988. In addition to running the cross country program, he served as head track and field coach from 1989 to 1993. Lester currently teaches in the EMU department of physical education and recreation. He earned his educational doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Virginia in 1995.

Born on September 27, 1960, Lester currently lives in Harrisonburg with his wife Robin and four children, Ethan, Katie, Aaron, and Mary.

Kendra Nissley , Assistant Coach (Second Season- EMU '07)

Kendra Nissley will begin her second year as the assistant coach for the men's and women's cross country teams after competing for the Royals for three seasons.

Nissley was named to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State Academic Team during the 2006-07 season as well as being named to the ESPN The Magazine’s Academic All-District Division III Track & Field/Cross Country First Team. Nissley was also a All-Region selection after placing 26th at the NCAA South/Southeast Regionals in Atlanta, Ga.