Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial

Kelly Moeller's Longtime Dedication Earns State Assistant Cross Country Coach of the Year Honor

For Kelly Moeller, running has never been just about crossing a finish line. It has always been about helping others discover what they are capable of achieving. That lifelong passion has now been recognized at the highest level as the Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial-Nicollet assistant coach has been named the Minnesota State Assistant Cross Country Coach of the Year.

The honor is the culmination of decades spent as both an accomplished athlete and a dedicated mentor. While awards are appreciated, those who know Moeller understand that her greatest satisfaction comes from watching young runners gain confidence, overcome challenges, and develop a lifelong love of the sport.

Her own journey began at Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial, where she joined the cross country team as a ninth grader. As a runner, she helped lead the Knights to fifth- and seventh-place finishes at the Minnesota State Cross Country Meet during her junior and senior seasons. She also qualified for the state meet twice as an individual competitor and ran on a school-record 4x800-meter relay team whose mark stood for nearly two decades. Those accomplishments laid the foundation for a lifetime in distance running and coaching.

After graduating, Moeller returned to give back to the program that had shaped her. Her coaching career has now spanned more than 16 years in cross country, including early seasons at LCWM, four years coaching at Timberview Middle School in Colorado Springs, and the past decade helping guide the highly successful LCWM-Nicollet program. She has also devoted nearly two decades to coaching track and field and several seasons coaching basketball, making a lasting impact on hundreds of student-athletes.

Moeller's résumé already included statewide recognition before this latest honor. She was previously selected as the Minnesota State Assistant Track and Field Coach of the Year after first being chosen by her fellow Section 2A coaches. Her peers have consistently recognized not only her technical knowledge but also the positive culture she helps create wherever she coaches.

Those qualities have helped LCWM-Nicollet become one of southern Minnesota's respected cross country programs. Alongside Hall of Fame head coach Doug Burns and assistant Billy James, Moeller has played an instrumental role in developing state qualifiers, conference champions, and athletes who have continued their running careers at the collegiate level. Burns has credited Moeller with doing "much of the heavy lifting" in the program, reflecting the respect she has earned from colleagues and athletes alike.

Despite the impressive list of accomplishments, Moeller remains focused on what first drew her to the sport. She has often spoken about enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of cross country and the joy of seeing young people work hard, improve, and discover confidence through running. That philosophy has made her far more than a coach. She has become a mentor, role model, and source of encouragement for generations of LCWM athletes.

Being named the Minnesota State Assistant Cross Country Coach of the Year is more than recognition for one successful season. It celebrates a dedication to student-athletes, a commitment to excellence, and an enduring belief that every runner can become stronger than they ever imagined.

Moeller has always liked using the word “and” in extracurricular activities as she also encourages students to be part of LCWM’s academic programs in addition to athletic programs. Moeller has been the advisor for several LCWM students who have advanced to the International Science and Engineering Fair.