WEST POINT, N.Y. – With the dawn of the cross country season on the horizon, Army director of athletics Kevin Anderson promoted Laura Kirchgraber from assistant cross country coach to head women’s cross country coach today, becoming the first female to lead the women’s program since its inception 29 years ago.

“We are very pleased to elevate Laura to head coach of our women’s cross country program,” said Anderson. “Laura has been vital to the success of our cross country and track and field programs the past two years, and we feel she is very deserving of this appointment.

“Laura is an exceptional coach and a tremendous role model for the young women in our program and has proven to be a valuable asset in the time that she has been at the Academy.”

Kirchgraber, who has assisted Jerry Quiller the last two seasons, will take over the reins of the women’s program. Quiller remains head coach of the men’s cross country squad as well as head coach of both men’s and women’s track and field programs.

A 2001 graduate of Canisius College, Kirchgraber has helped the Army women’s cross country team reach new heights in her first two years along the banks of the Hudson River. In 2004, she helped guide the Black Knights to their first Patriot League title since 1997 as five Army harriers earned All-Patriot League honors.

Last season, she helped Army to its fifth straight win over Navy and a runner-up showing at the conference meet. She saw two of her athletes garner all-league recognition as Ashley Urick earned first-team honors and Meghan Curran was awarded second-team laurels along with being named “Rookie of the Year”.

On the track, Kirchgraber has helped generate a pair of individual championships at the league’s outdoor meet. In 2005, she guided current senior Margaret Clark to the Academy record in the 1,000 meters, before Urick broke that mark last season.

Prior to arriving at Army, Kirchgraber spent three years as the head cross county and track and field coach at Mt. Mercy Academy in Buffalo, N.Y. She coached three athletes to the New York State Public High School Track and Field Championships and one to the State Federation Cross Country Championship.

During her undergraduate days at Canisius, Kirchgraber captained the women’s cross country and track and field teams and was a seven-time selection to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team.

After earning her undergraduate degree in 2001, Kirchgraber stayed on at Canisius as a graduate assistant to complete a master’s degree in exercise physiology.

Kirchgraber, who married Capt. Kevin Kirchgraber this past winter, currently resides at West Point, N.Y.