SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Converse University head cross country coach Mark Rennix announced that he would be stepping down from his position earlier this week to pursue other opportunities.
 
"We are fortunate to have had Coach Rennix leading our cross country programs," Converse University Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jenn Bell said. "He guided our women's program to reach new heights within the conference and region, while also starting the men's program from the ground up to become a championship-level program. Both programs pursue competitive excellence in the classroom and on the course, and we know the strong foundation established by Coach Rennix will help them thrive well into the future. We hate seeing Coach Rennix go, but we wish him the best as he pursues other opportunities."
 
"I am deeply grateful for the past seven years at Converse," Rennix said. "This community has been an incredible place for me to grow as a coach and as a person, and I will always cherish the relationships I've built with the athletes, staff, and the entire Converse family. While I am excited to pursue a new opportunity, leaving this program and the people who make it so special is bittersweet. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way –I will always be a proud Valkyrie."
 
Over his tenure at Converse, Rennix guided the Cross Country program to new heights within Conference Carolinas. Rennix was named Conference Carolinas Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year earlier this fall, when he guided the men's team to a runner-up finish at the Conference Carolinas Championship. On the women's side, Rennix was named Conference Carolinas Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year following the 2023 season, when he led the Valkyries to a Conference Carolinas Championship. Over the past three seasons, Rennix has guided the women's team to three top-two finishes at the Conference Carolinas Championships.
 
Rennix has been the head cross country coach at Converse since the 2020 season and an assistant track and field coach since 2018. Over that time frame, Rennix has coached 59 all-conference performers: 20 first team, 24 second team, and 15 third team. He has also coached four all-region performances, 9 individual conference champions, one conference championship relay, a pair of conference meet records, three freshman of the year awards, one indoor track athlete of the year, five team runner-up finishes and a pair of team championships in both track and field and cross country.
 
Academically, has overseen the cross country program win four Valkyrie Academic Excellence Team Awards, three USTFCCCA Cross Country All-Academic Team honors, and had eight individuals named USTFCCCA Cross Country All-Academic Individuals.
 
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