Morningside University Director of Athletics Jim Sykes announced two coaching staff hires.

Currently an assistant coach for the Wayland Baptist University program, Frank Wallace is the new head track and field and cross country coach. Wallace isn't a stranger to the area or the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

He competed at Briar Cliff University, where he earned a Bachelor of Degree in sports management. While a collegiate student-athlete for the Chargers, he competed in the 55 meters, 60 meters, 100-meter dash, 4x200 relay, and anchored the 4x100 relay. As a junior, the 4x100 quartet he ran with earned second-team All-American honors and broke the school record with a time of 41.33. As a senior, the 4x100 meter relay team qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championships. They set a new school record with a time of 41.08, finishing 10th and earning second-team All-American honors again. Wallace was a four-year letter winner, three-time NAIA national qualifier, and two-time GPAC champion in his four years.

As a collegiate coach, his work has been with sprints, hurdles, relays, and jumps. He's been an assistant at NCAA Division II Southwest Minnesota St., NCAA Division III Coe College and at WBU. Wallace earned a Masters in Physical Education with a concentration in Coaching Philosophy at Southwest Minnesota St. in May 2017.

Wallace has received four NAIA/USTFCCCA South Region Assistant Coach of the Year honors (indoor and outdoor 2021 and 2022). He's been certified by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and United States Track and Field.

"I am highly anticipative of all four programs' potential at Morningside," Wallace said. "Having been in the Sioux City area during my undergraduate collegiate career, I know what kind of standards the Mustangs cross country and track and field has held. I look forward to adding to that rich tradition in my new role."

"We're glad to have an individual with Frank's impressive background lead our cross country and track and field programs," Sykes said.

Sykes also announced that Jackie Martinez has been elevated to full-time assistant coach for the men's and women's soccer programs. She takes over the role that former top assistant B.J. Wylie held.

Martinez originally joined the Mustangs' coaching staff before the 2017 season. A 2018 Morningside graduate who majored in Spanish, she was a starting midfielder for the Mustangs during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. She tallied six goals and six assists for 18 points during her Morningside career.