Kaylyn Christopher Biography

Preston High / (Class of 2007) Kingwood, West Virginia

Classification: AAA

Specialty: Distance

West Virginia University / (Class of 2011) Morgantown, West Virginia

Kaylyn Christopher (born April 10, 1989) was a West Virginia distance runner. She grew up in Kingwood, West Virginia, where she attended Class AAA Preston High School. She was selected twice as the Gatorade State Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year for the 2006 and 2007 seasons. In April 2006, she became the first West Virginia high school female to break 5-minutes in the Mile. She was also the first AAA athlete to run under eleven minutes for the 3200-meter run. At one point, she held all-time and state meet records in every distance event contested at the high school level. These events include the individual 800-, 1600-, and 3200-meter runs and the 4 x 800-meter relay. Overall, Kaylyn was a nine-time state track champion, while she was a two-time individual state runner-up in cross country.

She attended West Virginia University, where she studied journalism and competed on the cross country/track and field teams, while earning two NCAA All-American honors in indoor track. Christopher also garnered Academic All-American honors two separate years, and holds the second-fastest time in the 1,000 meters at WVU. As a four-time competitor at the NCAA cross country championships WVU placed in the top 10 each year and brought home a 4th place showing in 2008.

She is the daughter of William and Janet Christopher and has four siblings (Rob Maxwell, Kevin Maxwell, Karyn Christopher, Carson Christopher).

RUNNING CAREER

High School:

While running cross country and track at Preston High School she was coached by Paul Martin, Mark Bjorkman, Brian Miller and Paul Sines.

Freshman Year (2003-2004):

In cross-country, Christopher was Preston’s second finisher in 21:44 for 26th place at the West Virginia State XC Championship at Mineral Wells, while the Knights’ placed third as a team with 100 points.

In track, she took third place and earned all-state honors in the 800-meter run (2:20.48) and was a member of record setting, state champion 4x800 relay team (9:50.29).

Sophomore Year (2004-2005):

In cross country, Christopher earned fifth place and named all-state cross country with a time of 20:08 at the West Virginia State XC Meet at Mineral Wells. Once again, she was Preston’s second finisher, while the Knights’ were state runner-up as a team with 49 points.

In track, she took third place in the 800-meter run (2:19.72) and won the 1600-meter run (5:06.22), while she ran a leg on Preston’s record setting, state champion 4x800-meter relay team (4:37.34) and runner-up 4x400-meter relay team (4:07.50). She tied for fourth in high point honors with 20.50 points. She was a member of the Knights’ state champion track squad (60.50 points).

Junior Year (2005-2006):

In cross country, Christopher was the individual state runner-up as a junior (18:42), while earning All-State honors. The State Meet was once again held at Mineral Wells. She was Preston’s top finisher, while for the second year in a row the Knights’ were runner-up as a team with 59 points.

In track, she became the first West Virginia high school female to break 5-minutes in the 1600-meter run. On April 13th, at the Erickson All-Sports Invitational, Christopher ran the 1600-meter run in four minutes and 58.18 seconds. She was also the first AAA athlete to run under eleven minutes for the 3200-meter run. On March 28th, at the Bridgeport 1 Meet, she ran the 3200-meter run in ten minutes and 56.18 seconds. She completed a triple crown at the West Virginia State Championship. She won the 800-meter run in 2:16.38. She was state champion and new record holder in both the 1600 and 3200 meter runs with times of 5:00.18 and 10:55.52 respectively. She also ran a leg on Preston’s 3rd place 4x400 meter relay team (4:10.15). She was third in high point honors with 31.50 points. The Knights’ finished third as a team with 46 points. Christopher was named the 2005-2006 Gatorade State Girls Track and Field Athletes of the Year.

Senior Year (2006-2007):

In cross-country, Christopher won the North Central Athletic Conference Championship (19:33) and the WVSSAC Group AAA Region I Championship (19:26). At the West Virginia AAA Girl’s State Championship at Cabell Midland HS in Ona, West Virginia she was the individual state runner-up, while earning All-State honors. University High’s Amber Riley ran a course record in far less than ideal conditions with a time of 19:42, while Christopher crossed the line in 19:53, which at that time was good for the 4th best time on the course. Christopher helped lead the Knights’ to a runner-up team finish with 43 points.

In track, Christopher broke the Class AAA Girls State Meet Record in the 800m (2:13.67) and 1600m (4:55.85). Christopher and University’s Amber Riley were the first females to go under 5:00 at the West Virginia State Meet. Christopher also ran a leg on Preston’s record setting, state champion 4x800-meter relay team (9:36.53) and 6th place 4x400-meter relay team (4:14.34). She was runner-up in high point honors with 22.75 points. She was also a member of Preston high’s state champion track squad with 62 points. She was named the 2006-2007 Gatorade State Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year and the McCoy Award Winner as state’s top track and field performer.

High School Bests:

· 400 Meter Dash - 1:00.57

· 800 Meter Run - 2:10.66

· 1,600 Meter Run - 4:54.82

· One Mile Run - 5:09.28

· 3,200 Meter Run - 10:33.02

· Two Mile Run - 11:29.36

· 5,000 Meter Run - 18:39.00

COLLEGE CAREER

Although she was recruited by many of the powerhouse programs in the college ranks, she chose to stay close to home, so she could run cross country and track at West Virginia University for coach Sean Cleary.

At West Virginia University in 2007 (Cross Country):

· Won the WVU Invitational.

· Took third at Lock Haven (21:28).

· Finished 54th at the Paul Short Invitational (6k).

· Fifth Mountaineer to finish at Penn State National, taking 38th place (21:58) (6k).

· Placed 43rd at the Big East Championships (21:57) (6k).

· Came in 30th overall at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional in 21:17 (6k).

· Placed 137th (22:35) as the sixth WVU finisher at the NCAA Championships (6k).

· Placed 16th (22:21) in the junior 6,000-meter run at the USATF Cross Country National Championship in San Diego, CA.

At West Virginia University in 2008 (Track):

· Finished 27th overall in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:33.31 at the NCAA Outdoor Regionals.

· Part of the DMR team with Marie-Louise Asselin, Karly Hamric and Keri Bland that set a then-outdoor school record with a time of 11:19.81 at Penn Relays.

· Ran the 1,500-meter in 4:27.38 to move into the top 10 BIG EAST times on April 19 at the WVU Invitational, an NCAA regional qualifying mark.

· Ran 2:13.32 in the 800-meter run at the WVU Invitational.

· Turned in a top performance in the 1,500-meter run to place third with a time of 4:34.88 at the Raleigh Relays.

At West Virginia University in 2008 (Cross Country):

· Placed 110th (21:17) at the NCAA Championships (6k).

· Finished 17th with a time of 22:14 at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional (6k).

· Finished 18th at the Big East Championship with a 6k time of 21:09.

· Placed 9th (20:59) at the Penn State National Invitational (6k).

· Finished 38th with a 6k time of 21:24 at the Paul Short Invitational.

· Beat her personal- and course-best time of 15:19, crossing the finishing line in 15:17 at the WVU Gold-Blue Meet (2.5 Miles).

· Member of the 2008 USTFCCCA Women’s All-Academic team.

· Named to the NCAA Mid-Atlantic All-Regional team.

At West Virginia University in 2009 (Track):

· Competed on the DMR team that finished 10th at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

· Member of the same DMR team (Christopher, Karly Hamric, Marie-Louise Asselin and Keri Bland) that broke school record at the Alex Wilson Invitational with a time of 11:05.12.

· Posted a personal-best time of 3:47.51 in the 1,000-meter run at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships.

· Took 10th in the mile (4:48.14) at the Alex Wilson Invitational.

· Placed third (3:48.99) in the 1,000-meter race at the Penn State National Invitational.

· Finished first in the 1,000-meter run (2:52.82) at the Penn State Open.

· Redshirted the outdoor season.

At West Virginia University in 2009 (Cross Country):

· Raced well at the 2009 NCAA Championships, finishing 87th with a time of 21:21 (6k).

· Named All-Region after crossing the line in 24th at the Mid-Atlantic Regionals (21:45) (6k).

· Finished in 28th place at the Big East Championships (6k).

· Placed 21st (20:56) in WVU’s first place showing at the Paul Short Invitational (6k).

· Placed 11th at the Penn State Invitational (21:02) (6k).

· Earned CoSida Academic All-America third team honors.

At West Virginia University in 2010 (Track):

· Earned two All-America honors at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships, one in the mile (4:46.76) and one as a member of the 8th-place DMR team (11:16.39).

· Posted a personal-best time of 4:25.7 in the 1,500-meter race to qualify for regionals at the Swarthmore Last Chance meet.

· Helped 4x800 relay team to post a school record and fourth-place finish at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships after crossing the line with a time of 8:47.9.

· Finished third at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships as a member of the DMR team

· Finished third as a part of the 4x800 relay team.

· Posted NCAA provisional time in the 3,000-meter race at the Sykes-Sabock Challenge Cup after finishing in second (9:30.95).

· Finished sixth in the 800-meter invitational race at the Penn State National Invitational with a time of 2:10.07.

· Finished first in the 800-meter run at the WVU State Farm Games.

· Helped the WVU DMR team to a second-place finish at the PSU Northeast Challenge (12:08.82).

· Posted a BIG EAST qualifying time at the Sun Angel Classic with a 16th-place finish in the 1,500-meter race (4:27.39).

· Took first place in the 3,000-meter run (9:51.85) at the James Madison Invitational.

At West Virginia University in 2010 (Cross Country):

· Redshirt season.

· Big East Academic All-Star.

At West Virginia University in 2011 (Track):

· Competed at the NCAA East Regional in the 1,500-meter run with a time of 4:36.04.

· Came in eighth place at BIG EAST in the 5,000-meter run in 16:43.65.

· Achieved eighth place at the Colonial Relays in the 800-meter run in 2:10.88.

· Competed at the Stanford Invitational in the 1,500-meter and 800-meter races.

· Finished in fourth at the Kent Taylor-Joe Hilton Invitational in the 800-meter with a time of 2:13.50.

· Member of 4x800 relay at BIG EAST, helping group to seventh place in 9:08.36.

· Earned second-best mark in school history in the 1,000-meter race at the Penn State Relays by finishing in 2:45.

· Came in fifth place at BIG EAST in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 9:27.16.

· Finished in first in the 3,000-meter race at the WVU State Farm Games.

· Competed at the GaREAT Invitational and Columbia Last Chance in the mile.

At West Virginia University in 2011 (Cross Country):

· Placed 196th (21:49) at the NCAA DI Cross Country Championships (6k).

· Finished 25th with a time of 22:38 at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional (6k).

· Finished 49th at the Big East Championship with a 6k time of 21:43.

At West Virginia University in 2012 (Track):

(Indoor)

· Earned a career-best time of 1:37.48 in the 600-meter run at the Sykes & Sabock Challenge, the team’s best time for the event during the year.

· Member of DMR foursome at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships, assisting squad to 7th-place mark in 11:44.08.

· Helped the 4x800 relay to an 11th-place finish in 9:10.85 at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships.

(Outdoor)

· Earned a career-best 9:47.86 in the 3,000-meter run for sixth place at the Penn Relays.

· Came in 14th in the 5,000-meter at the BIG EAST Championships in 17:15.44.

Collegiate Bests:

· 500 Meter Dash - 1:16.94

· 600 Meter Dash - 1:37.48

· 800 Meter Run - 2:10.07

· 1,000 Meter Run - 2:45.56

· 1,500 Meter Run - 4:25.17

· One Mile Run - 4:40.78

· 3,000 Meter Run - 9:27.16

· 4,000 Meter Run - 15:29.00

· 5,000 Meter Run - 16:43.65

· 6,000 Meter Run - 18:22.21

WVU NCAA Honors (Cross Country):

· NCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region - Kaylyn Christopher (2008, 2009, 2011)

· NCAA Team Qualifier – Kaylyn Christopher (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)

WVU All-Time Indoor Records:

· 2010: 4x800 Relay (Keri Bland, Kaylyn Christopher Marie-Louise Asselin, Jessica O’Connell) - 8:44.98 FAT

· 2009: DMR (Kaylyn Christopher, Karly Hamric, Marie-Louise Asselin Keri Bland) - 11:05.12 FAT

WVU All-Time Outdoor Records (Track):

· 2010: 4x800 Relay (Karly Hamric, Keri Bland, Jessica O’Connell, Kaylyn Christopher) - 8:47.95 FAT

WVU Indoor Records (Track):

· 2011: 1,000 Meters - Kaylyn Christopher - 2:45.56 (Ranks 2nd)

· 2011: 3,000 Meters - Kaylyn Christopher - 9:27.16 (Ranks 5th)

· 2010: 4x800m Relay (Keri Bland, Kaylyn Christopher, Marie-Louise Asselin, Jessica O’Connell) - 8:44.98 (Ranks 1st)

· 2009: 4x800m Relay (Karly Hamric, Kaylyn Christopher, Alison Spiker, Keri Bland) - 8:51.55 (Ranks 3rd)

· 2009: Distance Medley Relay (Kaylyn Christopher, April Rotilio, Karly Hamric, Keri Bland) - 11:05.12 (Ranks 1st)

· 2010: Distance Medley Relay (Keri Bland, April Rotilio, Kaylyn Christopher, Jessica O’Connell) - 11:09.28 (Ranks 3rd)

· 2009: Distance Medley Relay (Kaylyn Christopher, April Rotilio, Karly Hamric, Keri Bland) - 11:11.33 (Ranks 4th)

· 2009: DMR Splits 1200 - Kaylyn Christopher - 3:25.90 (Ranks 5th)

WVU Outdoor Records (Track):

· 2010: 4x800m Relay (Karly Hamric, Keri Bland, Jessica O’Connell, Kaylyn Christopher) - 8:47.95 (Ranks 1st)

· 2008: Distance Medley Relay (Kaylyn Christopher, Katelyn Williams, Karly Hamric, Keri Bland) - 11:19.81 (Ranks 1st)

WVU All-American (Track):

Kaylyn Christopher received her first and second All-America honors in 2010, by finishing as one of the top U.S. citizens in the mile, and as a member of the distance medley relay team at the NCAA Indoor Championships. Christopher captured her first honor with a 12th-place finish in the mile with a time of 4:46, to finish as one of the top eight Americans in the race. Later in the day, she returned to aid the DMR team (Christopher, Keri Bland, Jessica O’Connell and April Rotilio) to an eighth-place showing (11:16.39). Owns a personal-best time of 4:40.78 in the mile.

Coaching:

Kaylyn Christopher was the head women's cross-country coach at Fairmont State University (2014-2016). She coached three athletes to All-MEC accolades and guided the Fighting Falcons to their highest conference finish (4th) since 1989 (3rd).

In February of 2017, Christopher was announced as the new head women's cross country/track and field coach at Salem International University in Salem, West Virginia.

Work History:

Following graduation from WVU with a degree in Journalism, Kaylyn has worked as a free-lance writer with several local newspapers and magazines. She has worked as a public relations specialist for the WVU School of Law, then she moved to the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at WVU as a Communications Specialist. As a member of the University of Virginia, Christopher produced content for UVA Today.

Submitted by Mike McMillion (updated 07/22/2017)

Results courtesy of RunWV, Paul Martin & WVU Sports