Derek Kite

Derek Kite, a collegiate standout and former professional runner, began his coaching career at York College in the 2009-10 season as the head men’s and women’s track and cross country coach.

Kite was a two-time Olympic Trials competitor in the 3,000-meter Steeplechase, competing in both 1996 and 2000. He was the 2003 USAT Rookie Duathlete of the Year (running/cycling) and ranked #1 in the nation. He competed in several Duathlon World Championships and finished as the top American in three of those years, sixth overall at the 2007 World Championships in Hungary. He also competed in numerous triathlons as a professional (running/cycling/swimming), winning five alone in 2003.

Kite had an illustrious high school career in California where he won state in the mile (4.13) in 1990 and was on the #1 ranked cross country team in the nation. Running for Lubbock Christian University, he was part of a 4-time National Championship Cross Country Team and turned in the fourth best time in nationals his senior year. He earned 14 All-American honors at LCU including the Indoor 3-mile National Champion and the Outdoor 3,000-meter Steeplechase National Champion in 1994. In 2006, he was inducted into the LCU Hall of Fame.

After earning his B.S. degree in Biology at LCU, Kite coached the men's cross country team at Pepperdine University for 3 seasons (1995-1997). He and his wife Valerie have two young children, Jacob and Shealyn.

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