Kansas State University Athletics
Cross Country
Kate Bucknam
- Title:
- Head Cross Country Coach
- Email:
- kbucknam@kstatesports.com
- Phone:
- (785) 706-1480
Kate Bucknam was announced as the head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach by Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Travis Geopfert on August 2, 2024.
During the 2024 cross country season, she worked with a team with 12 returners and 10 freshmen. Tommy Hazen made his mark on the K-State all-time top-25, landing at no. 9 in both the men’s 8k (24:12.8) and 10k (30:38.9). During the indoor track season Hazen broke the 3,000 meter school record with a time of 8:03.77 and outdoor he competed at the NCAA West Preliminary in the 3,000 meter steeplechase for a consecutive season.
Bucknam joins the Wildcats after spending the last seven seasons at Belmont, where she worked with the men’s and women’s cross country/track and field teams. The women’s cross country team claimed two conference titles in three years – the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference, in the Bruins’ second year in the conference, and the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference title. Last season, Bucknam coached Kaitlyn Vanderkolk to NCAA South All-Region honors with a top-20 finish, qualifying her for the NCAA Championship.
“Early in her career Coach Bucknam has already proven herself a quality leader,” Geopfert said. “She has led her cross country programs at Belmont to two different conference championships in both the Ohio Valley and Missouri Valley Conferences. Her knowledge of training and understanding of how to individualize programming creates a situation where her athletes can thrive. She’s a leader with a passion and enthusiasm to help young student-athletes that is contagious. I’m excited for our student-athletes to get the opportunity to work with such a passionate coach.”
Prior to her time at Belmont, Bucknam spent one season at Syracuse (2016-17) as an assistant cross country/track and field coach. During that time, the men’s cross country team claimed the 2016 ACC title and finished 3rd at the NCAA Championship. During the track season, she was part of the men’s team finishing 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championship.
Coaching Experience
Coaching Accomplishments
Athlete Honors
Education
During the 2024 cross country season, she worked with a team with 12 returners and 10 freshmen. Tommy Hazen made his mark on the K-State all-time top-25, landing at no. 9 in both the men’s 8k (24:12.8) and 10k (30:38.9). During the indoor track season Hazen broke the 3,000 meter school record with a time of 8:03.77 and outdoor he competed at the NCAA West Preliminary in the 3,000 meter steeplechase for a consecutive season.
Bucknam joins the Wildcats after spending the last seven seasons at Belmont, where she worked with the men’s and women’s cross country/track and field teams. The women’s cross country team claimed two conference titles in three years – the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference, in the Bruins’ second year in the conference, and the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference title. Last season, Bucknam coached Kaitlyn Vanderkolk to NCAA South All-Region honors with a top-20 finish, qualifying her for the NCAA Championship.
“Early in her career Coach Bucknam has already proven herself a quality leader,” Geopfert said. “She has led her cross country programs at Belmont to two different conference championships in both the Ohio Valley and Missouri Valley Conferences. Her knowledge of training and understanding of how to individualize programming creates a situation where her athletes can thrive. She’s a leader with a passion and enthusiasm to help young student-athletes that is contagious. I’m excited for our student-athletes to get the opportunity to work with such a passionate coach.”
Prior to her time at Belmont, Bucknam spent one season at Syracuse (2016-17) as an assistant cross country/track and field coach. During that time, the men’s cross country team claimed the 2016 ACC title and finished 3rd at the NCAA Championship. During the track season, she was part of the men’s team finishing 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championship.
Coaching Experience
- Assistant Cross Country/Track and Field Coach, Syracuse (2016-2017)
- Assistant Cross Country/Track and Field Coach, Belmont (2017-2024)
- Head Cross Country Coach/Assistant Track and Field Coach, K-State (2024-present)
Coaching Accomplishments
- Two Belmont women's cross country conference championships
- 2023 NCAA South All-Region honors & NCAA Championship qualifier (Kaitlyn Vandervolk)
- 2024 MVC Steeplechase Champion & NCAA East Preliminary qualifier (Kevin Vandervolk)
- 2024 MVC 5k indoor and outdoor Champion & MVC 10k Champion (Carter Cheeseman)
- Two Syracuse men's cross country top finishes
- 2017 Men's NCAA indoor Championship 10th place finish (Syracuse)
Athlete Honors
- 2015 NCAA Student-Athlete Sportsmanship Award recipient
- 2014 NCAA Cross Country Championship qualifier
- 2014 Minnesota women's cross country co-captain
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, 2015
K-State XC | Pre-National Invitational Recap
Saturday, October 18
K-State XC | Coach Bucknam Post-Race Thoughts
Friday, October 17
K-State XC | Joe Piane Invitational Recap
Saturday, October 04
K-State CC | Notre Dame Invitational Post Meet Interviews - Jackson Esquibel
Friday, October 03
