Bruce Bayliss, who served under Mikel Wagner as Lee University assistant cross country coach last season, has been named head coach of the cross country teams, according to Lee athletic director Larry Carpenter.

  Bayliss, a veteran of many marathon runs, brings a wealth of knowledge about distance running to the Lee program. “Coach Bayliss did an outstanding job working with the women’s cross country team last fall,” said Carpenter.  “His efforts were evidenced by our women’s strong finish in the conference and regional meets. He is a seasoned runner who knows how to get the most of his student athletes.”

 The new Lee coach admits this will be the first time he has served as a head coach on the organized level. “Since I began serious distance runner in 1993, people have been coming to me on an individual basis to seek help.”

 In fact, that’s the way Bayliss and Wagner came together.  “He (Wagner) knew me and asked for my advice on running marathons,” said Bayliss. “One day, out of the clear blue, Mikel asked me to help with the Lee clubs. I said why not, and I’ve really enjoyed working with young people.”

  It was not, however, Bayliss’ first experience with working with older teenagers. A native of Mendon , Mass. , the new Lee coach worked as a volunteer with spiritual groups and with older youth at his home church.

The coaching door opened at Lee when Wagner decided to step down after only one year as the cross country coach. “I knew I wanted to keep what Mikel and I had started in place,” said Bayliss. “I also know it is going to be a real challenge. We will have only three women and five men back from last year’s squad. I’d like to add about three more men and five women.”

Bayliss says he is really excited about the opportunity. I guess my biggest concern is recruiting,” he pointed out. “I have no experience in that area, but I’ve already started contacting people. I believe there are young people right here at Lee who could step in and help. We’d like to see them give it a try.”

Carpenter has plenty of confidence in Bayliss. “His coaching ability came through this winter as he helped three members of our women’s team and one from the men’s team qualify for the Boston Marathon in their first attempt. He has a good relationship with the athletes and should be able to make us a contender every year,” said the Lee AD.

Bayliss will look to former Lee runners for help. He notes that he has already talked with Carpenter about using star runners Emily Cleveland and Johnny Clemmons as his student assistants. He will also seek help from his wife, Ann, with the paper work.

“We’re looking to build a cross country tradition at Lee,” stressed Bayliss. “We want to make this more than Lee. We want to help the community. I’ve always enjoyed helping point people toward healthy lifestyles.”

 Bayliss ran his first marathon in Jacksonville , finishing third in his age group with a 2:56 time. Since then, he has run 22 other marathons, including three times in the Boston Marathon. He was born in Hopkinton , Mass. , about 250 yards from the start of the annual Boston Marathon. His fastest time in that race was 2:46 in 2000. His best year of competitive running was 1998, during which he averaged running about 70-80 miles a week. He has run nine marathons with a time less than 2:42.

 In regards to practice, he observed, “A lot of younger runners are pushed too hard at early stages of their lives and burn out on running very early in their careers. A key to running in college, especially following the change from high school, is conditioning. Many times they have to double or triple their mileage. Most importantly, they must learn discipline.”

Bayliss moved to Cleveland with his wife Ann in October of 2002. He is employed by Allied Security for Schering-Plough Healthcare.