BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Samford head cross country coach, Chad Balyo, has announced the addition of former Samford student-athlete, and All-American, Karisa Nelson, to the 2019 cross country staff. 

Nelson, who graduated with a degree in Biochemistry in 2019, returns to Birmingham with an illustrious resume. She was a five-time NCAA All-Amercan, and NCAA Champion, finishing the 2017 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships mile run with a time of 4:31.24. In 2019, as a redshirt-senior, Nelson was the runner-up in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships mile run, with a time of 4:38.24. 

"I am very excited to welcome Karisa back to our program as an assistant coach this cross country season, before she departs to Seattle to focus on the 2020 Olympic Trials and making an Olympic Team," said Balyo. "I look forward to watching her give back in this support role to a program and university she cares so deeply for in Samford!" 

Following graduation, Nelson ran 4:06.14 to take 8th at the 2019 Outdoor USA Championships. The split put her ninth on the all-time fastest NCAA data list for the 1500 meter event. In addition to her national recognitions, Nelson was the 2016 SoCon Runner of the Year, and the 2016 SoCon Women's Cross Country Champion, as well as the 2016-17 Southern Conference Female Athlete of the year. 

As Nelson looks ahead to her professional career, she needs to hit Olympic Standard (4:04.20) and finish in the top 3 at the 2020 Olympic Trials to make the United States Olympic Team that will compete in Tokyo, Japan next spring.