OKLAHOMA CITY – Coming off a stellar third season as a program, the MACU Cross Country and Track & Field programs are looking to continue to develop toward the future with the expansion of its rosters and coaching staff as Madalyn Gamas joins the program as its first Associate Head Coach.
"I couldn't be more excited to have Madalyn joining our program here at MACU," stated MACU Cross Country and Track & Field Head Coach Merritt Suenram. "Her heart for mentoring young women in their faith coupled with her passion and knowledge of our sport is going to make a massive impact on our program."
Gamas brings a rich coaching and running pedigree to MACU as she has served as a cross country and track & field coach for Classen SAS High School (2024-25) and Christian Heritage Academy (2025-26) as well as served as a powerlifting coach at CHA. Gamas also brings in collegiate coaching experience, serving as the Assistant Cross Country and Track & Field Coach for her alma mater, NCAA Division II Southern Nazarene (2023-25).
Before entering the coaching sphere, Gamas put together a legendary athletic career with the Crimson Storm from 2018-23. On-top of being named SNU's Female Athlete of the Year in 2023 as well as the Cross Country MVP (2022, 23) and Track MVP (2023), Gamas broke the school records in both the Mile and 1000-meter run.
"I'm so glad God opened the door for me to be at MACU," said Gamas. "I have a passion for sharing my love for Christ and running. I'm excited that I am getting the opportunity to do that in living my dream of coaching at the collegiate level."
On-top of her high school and coaching experiences, Gamas holds a NASM Performance Enhancement Specialist certification, which allows her to serve as a personal trainer for individuals enhancing their fitness and weight loss in the Oklahoma City area.
Even after completing her career competing at the collegiate level, Gamas has continued to stay active in the running community, competing for Scissortail Running, an elite development team of coaches and athletes.
Gamas has run in multiple races with incredible success in Oklahoma City, winning the inaugural OKC Memorial Quarter Marathon in 2025 and finishing third in the OKC Memorial Half Marathon in 2024. Gamas is also currently training to qualify for the illustrious Boston Marathon as she is seeking to compete in the 2028 event.
Entering its fourth year competing as a cross country program and third year in track & field, the Evangels are looking to continue building upon its growing success. In 2025, the Men's Cross Country program notched a program record three All-Sooner Athletic Conference athletes, finishing third in the SAC meet as a team and narrowly capturing its first NCCAA National Championship after finishing second at the national meet. MACU also notched its first multiple All-American season with Lucky Maila and Jaden Rodriguez earning NCCAA All-America acclaim.
The Men's Track & Field team also saw unprecedented success, capturing the team's first indoor 4x800-meter relay NCCAA National Championship with Maila, Chase Cotarelo, Colin Seely, and Jonathan Avila competing on that title team on-top of All-SAC honors when the 4x800-meter team finished third with Blake Jensen joining the four-man tandem.
The Evangels also had their first women's NCCAA Outdoor National Championship national qualifier as Cora Eyler competed at the national stage in both the 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles events.
