Amanda Malefyt was named the head women’s cross country coach prior to the 2013 season after returning to her alma mater in fall 2012 as assistant cross country/ track & field coach as well as a professor in the chemical engineering department. During her first season as assistant women’s coach, the cross country team finished 18th place at the regionals, the highest since becoming an NCAA member school.

While obtaining her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at Trine (then Tri-State), Malefyt ran for the Thunder program herself from 2000-2004. During her college career, Malefyt became the first and only female track athlete in school history to capture a national title when she won the 2003 NAIA 10,000-meter title. Malefyt also set four university records and two Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference records in outdoor track. Malefyt was a six-time national qualifier and All-American in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter runs. Malefyt was inducted into the Trine Athletic Hall of Fame in the fall of 2011.

Following graduation, Malefyt spent two years as assistant cross country and track coach for Gull Lake High School (Richland, Mich.). During this time, GLHS had 11 distance athletes qualify for the state finals.

Malefyt obtained her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Michigan State University in 2012. With experience as both a coach and professor, Malefyt understands and encourages a healthy balance between academics and athletics.