Women's Track & Field | August 26, 2019

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Director of Athletics Kathy Beauregard have announced the hiring of Makiba Batten as the new head track and field and cross country coach.

Batten joins the Broncos with an extensive coaching resume and recently spent six years as an assistant coach at Wayne State University. At WSU she produced one All-American, two Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions and seven All-GLIAC selections. Batten's other duties included coordinating recruiting and handling program travel operations and administrative duties.

"We are excited for the direction that Coach Batten will take the track and field and cross country programs," said Beauregard. "She has an impressive range of coaching experience at all levels of track and field and was an All-American athlete in college at Florida State."

"I am more than grateful for this opportunity at Western Michigan University, said Batten. "What captured my attention the most was the sense of cohesiveness and affability for helping the program change and grow. Every area of the athletic department made me feel sincerely welcome and supported during my interview process. They offered genuine and consistent communication about the programs needs to be successful."

"Furthermore, Keanah Smith and Kathy Beauregard both impressed me with their workhorse attitude and leadership. It was easy to feel the good energy they both bring to the environment at WMU. After researching Kathy's extensively accomplished background with A.D. of the Year and Coach of the Year, I couldn't help but be excited about gaining her mentorship! That's a win-win! Western Michigan is a great fit for me and my family and I am excited to bring this women's program to the next level!"

Prior to Wayne State, Batten coached at Marygrove College in 2013 and Saginaw Valley State from 2010-13, where she helped the team produce 20 All-Americans and 126 All-American Academic honors.

Batten has also been a long-time coach on the AAU circuit and as a professional coach. She recently coached Chioma Onyekwere to a gold medal in the discus at the 2018 African Games. She also coached Nia Henderson to the 2016 Olympic Trials in the shot put.

Batten competed in the throws at Florida State University from 1999-2004. She was a NCAA All-American in the discus in 2000, participated in the USA Olympic Trials qualifier in 2004 and was ranked in the top 20 in the discus in 2003. She qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in 2000, 2001 and 2003, also winning the shot put both at the Indoor and Outdoor ACC Championships in 2000. With Batten's help, the Seminoles won the 2000 ACC Outdoor Championship. She also set the program record in the discus in 2003, which held until 2014.

Batten graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise science from FSU in 2003 and earned a master's degree in sports management from Chadron State College in 2006.