BOSTON, MA (March 14, 2025) – University of Massachusetts Boston Head Coach of Track and Field and Cross Country, Ozzie Brown, has announced the appointment of Lauren Bunke as the Associate Cross Country/Distance Coach.
"I am extremely excited to welcome Lauren to our staff," said Brown. "As a former Division III standout student-athlete with Division I coaching experience, I'm confident Lauren is the right person to help elevate our program to the next level!"
Bunke joins UMass Boston after serving as a member of the coaching staff at Saint Francis University (Loretto, PA), an NCAA Division I institution. She worked with the distance runners in the cross country and track and field programs. During the fall of 2024, she played a key role guiding the women's cross country team to five top three finishes and the men's program to three top five finishes in the Northeast Conference (NEC). In addition to her coaching duties, Bunke coordinated recruitment trips, planned and executed daily practice and training schedules, and assisted with travel logistics.
In her new role with the Beacons, Bunke will work directly with the distance runners in both the men's and women's track and field and cross-country programs. Bunke's experience and commitment to developing student-athletes will play a key role in their growth, both as individuals and as competitors, fostering a strong foundation for long-term success in their sport and academic careers.
A decorated student-athlete, Bunke ran cross country and track and field at Lebanon Valley College from 2018 to 2023. She qualified for the 2023 NCAA DIII Cross Country Championships and was named the United States Track and Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Runner of the Week in 2023. Additionally, Bunke claimed the 2023 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) 1500m Championship and earned multiple All-MAC honors. She was also recognized as an Academic All-MAC selection, a MAC Honor Roll honoree, and a USTFCCCA All-Academic Student-Athlete.
Bunke earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science in 2022 and a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2024, both from Lebanon Valley College. Through her clinical work in physical therapy, she has provided valuable services to many patients, particularly at the CURE Clinic at Lebanon Valley College, where she offered free physical therapy to community members. Her capstone research focused on the impact of running programs on children with autism spectrum disorder.
Bunke will begin her tenure with the Beacons starting on March 17.
