MINNEAPOLIS -- Augsburg University Men's and Women's Cross Country Head Coach Meghan Peyton will be stepping down at the conclusion of the outdoor track and field season, after leading the Auggie cross country programs for the past six seasons, the university announced on Monday.
 
Peyton served as the head coach for the Auggie men's and women's cross country teams from 2014 to 2021, as well as serving as the distance coach for the track and field squads. Prior to moving into the head coach role, Peyton served as the graduate assistant with the cross country programs for two years, while earning her Master of Arts in Leadership degree from Augsburg.
 
"I first want to thank Augsburg University, Athletic Director Jeff Swenson, all of my colleagues and the student-athletes for my wonderful experience here. I have valued beyond words the support of our community and the opportunity to coach here at Augsburg," Peyton said. "The growth I personally have experienced has been so empowering. I have loved being part of fulfilling the Augsburg mission of helping to educate students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers and responsible leaders and will continue to carry these values with me as I transition to my new venture as a business owner. I will continue to follow with interest the success of Augsburg University."
 
Peyton is scheduled to complete her coaching responsibilities at the end of the outdoor track and field season, before relocating to Oregon for a new job opportunity outside of intercollegiate athletics. According to Augsburg Athletic Director Jeff Swenson, a national search for Peyton's replacement will begin in May.
 
"I want to thank Meghan for her leadership of the Auggie men's and women's cross country programs," Swenson said. "Meghan has impacted numerous student-athletes and fellow staff in her time at Augsburg and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors." 
 
In her six seasons at Augsburg, Peyton coached the Auggies' only MIAC cross country individual champion in program history, Taybri Irving (2016), as well as multiple all-conference student-athletes in track and field. She has mentored and made a difference in the lives of numerous student-athletes in her time at Augsburg.