Clarksville, Ark. – Cash Kunkel has been elevated to the head women's and men's cross country and track coach after holding the interim role since July, it was announced by the athletic department today.
    
Kunkel made an immediate impact on the women's and men's cross country teams guiding both programs to their highest finish ever at an NCAA III Regional. Additionally, Kunkel guided the women's program to its highest finish in more than 25 years at the conference championships. The men's team had its best finish at the conference championships in more than five years. Under Kunkel, the program combined for four Conference Runner of the Week awards, a new men's 8k program record and a recipient of the Conference Elite 19 award.
     
"We are excited to have Cash lead the cross country and track programs," said Athletic Director Dr. Sergio Molina. "Cash has excelled in his interim position and I believe he can continue to lead this program to many great things. He has used his success as a standout NCAA Division I runner to help our student-athletes improve and thrive on the course. His expertise in developing runners as well as his emphasis on academics make him a great fit for our university."     
     
Kunkel, a native of Brenham, Texas, starred at Arkansas State University where he earned All-Conference in both cross country and track during his collegiate running career. Kunkel won the Sun Belt Conference indoor track 3000-meter and the outdoor steeplechase title while helping the program to back-to-back indoor conference championships. He led the cross country program to a 2022 conference championship. 
     
He served as a volunteer track and field coach at ASU during the 2024-2025 season.      
     
"I am honored to accept the position of Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at the University of the Ozarks," said Kunkel. "I am excited to lead our student-athletes to new standards of excellence.  The University of the Ozarks is a place where student-athletes can thrive, grow, and chase excellence on the course, the track, and in the classroom. The future of this program is bright, and I'm excited for the growth, momentum, and success that we have already achieved and will continue to build together." 
     
He received his bachelor's degree in management information systems (cum laude) from University of Incarnate Word in 2021 and a master's degree in sports administration (cum laude) from ASU in 2024.