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For no
additional pay, Russ built and coached the team in a time
before TSSAA had yet to sponsor girls' sports. Over 11 seasons,
Russ coached the Memphis State women's track team to a second
place finish in the Tennessee State Collegiate Track and Field
Championships.
By the
early 1970s, the Memphis State program was competitive at
the national level and had several individuals qualify for
cross-country nationals. In 1987, Russ was inducted into the
Memphis State University Sports Hall of Fame.
For the
last 26 years, Russ has coached at The Harpeth Hall School
in Middle Tennessee. In her tenure, she has coached a total
of 20 teams to state championships in track and field, team
relays and cross-country (the most for any coach in the state
of Tennessee). She has coached 12 teams to state track championships,
six teams to state cross-country championships, and two teams
to team relay championships for a total of 20 state titles.
In addition
to her coaching responsibilities, Russ has served as Athletic
Director for The Harpeth Hall School since 1986. She is now
responsible for 17 teams in 11 sports in the Upper School
and 15 teams in 10 sports in the Middle School.
Needless
to say, many honors have come her way. Among the accolades,
Coach Russ has been named NFICA Tennessee Girls Cross Country
Coach of the Year (1995), Tennessee State Track Coach of the
Year (1991, 1992, 2003), NFHS Sectional Coach of the Year
(2003), Metro Cross Country Coach of the Year (10 times),
Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year (8 times and Regional
Track Coach of the Year (8 times).
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