Rachel Durham-Keylon loves track and cross country, and the opportunity to become the new cross country coach at Odessa College fulfills a dream for her.

"I have always had a passion for coaching and teaching … and the opportunity to coach student athletes is a dream job for me," Durham-Keylon said.

The newly-hired coach begins her position on August 7. In addition to coaching the cross country team, her duties will include teaching physical education and kinesiology classes.

"I am looking forward to beginning my journey at Odessa College … and I'm very excited to be a representative of this outstanding college," she added.

Recently, she completed her Masters of Science Degree in Kinesiology Human Performance at Texas Tech University. While serving as a graduate teaching assistant in Kinesiology and Sports Management at Texas Tech, she taught undergraduate Personal Fitness and Wellness, Swimming, and Jogging.

Durham-Keylon replaces former OC cross country and track coach Kate Walsh who resigned in May of this year.