COACHING STAFF

MICHAEL DIERKS

Head Coach - Varsity

Entering his 27th year at the school, Head Coach Michael Dierks ‘91 relies upon his runners to be self-motivated and passionate. He recognizes that it is the internal drive which must motivate endurance athletes. In his 26 years as head coach, the program has qualified for the State Meet 16 seasons (including the past 14 in a row). They have also advanced past the District Meet in all but three of his seasons. As a runner at the University of Notre Dame, Coach Dierks has brought a strong pack running philosophy to the program. He is also in his 9th year as the school’s athletic director.

ALEX DOBENS

Assistant Coach - Junior Varsity

Coach Dobens ’08 returned to Rockhurst and the cross country program in 2020. He graduated from The Rock in 2008 and earned several varsity letters in cross country and track; he is a member of the Cross Country All-Time Team. Coach Dobens attended the College of the Holy Cross. He entered the teaching and coaching world in 2013 at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver before joining Rockhurst’s staff in 2020. He teaches Classical Languages classes, is the junior varsity XC head coach, and the track & field distance coach.

RYAN MCANANY

Assistant Coach - C Team

Coach McAnany ’12 enters his sixth season at The Rock. He previously spent time as an Alumni Service Corps volunteer at St. Louis University High School in 2016. While a student-athlete at Rockhurst, Coach McAnany excelled in cross country as a three-year letterman and was selected as the 2011 Golden Spike Winner. He was also a varsity track & field letterman.  He continued his running career at the University of Dallas. He teaches English and serves as the Yearbook moderator while also coaching cross country and track.

ALAN RATERMANN

Assistant Coach - Freshman Team

Coach Ratermann is in his third season with the XC team after assisting in 2015 while he was with Rockhurst as part of the Alumni Service Corps. He did such a great job at The Rock that he was hired full-time to teach English and is also the Director of Ignatian Service Programs. Coach Ratermann graduated from Rockhurst University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Theology, and Nonprofit Leadership Studies. He ran cross country for SLUH (’11) and shares his passion for sport in general and working with anyone committed to excellence. He also served as a swim & dive assistant coach from 2016-18.