Bio

Russ DeLap is in his 14th season as head track & field coach at Concordia University Wisconsin in the 2023-24 campaign. DeLap coaches both the men's and women's teams, in addition to his duties as head men's and women's cross country coach.

DeLap and the Falcons claimed the NACC Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2021. 

In 2012 DeLap coached the men's team to a Northern Athletics Conference Indoor Championship, as the Falcons compiled 126 points to earn the championship. They continued strongly in the outdoor season as they earned a share of the league title with Benedictine University, each team scoring 135 points.

The women also had a strong season under DeLap in 2012 as they placed second at the NAC Indoor Championships, finishing just 2.5 points behind meet champion, Concordia University Chicago.

The Falcons have had several national qualifiers under DeLap, including most recently in the 2022 indoor season with Gideon Cain in the shot put, where he claimed All-American honors. He has also coached Samual Spranger in 2018 (400) and Gavin Falotico (Javelin) was an All-American in 2017, while Nicole Larson (Pole Vault) posted All-American honors during both the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2016. Other national qualifiers under DeLap include Alex Pawlak (110 and 400-meter hurdles) in 2012, Tyler White (triple jump) in 2016, and Ariel Kinlow (60-meter dash) in 2016. 

In addition to his long list of accolades as a coach, DeLap is an accomplished runner who continues to set records on a national level. In December 2016, DeLap set five American records at the Desert Solstice event. He holds records for the Male 60-64 age division in 20K, 25K, 30K, Two Hour, and 20-mile. His running history also includes a 2013 100-mile National Champion (55-59), and multiple Marathon championships. In 2023 indoor season DeLap had his highest US and World rankings where he ranked 4^th in US and 21^st in the world in the 3,000 and 8^th US and 44^th in the world in the 1500. 

As a runner, DeLap has logged over 150,000 miles and competes in races from distances ranging from one mile to 100 miles. He has captured multiple medals, including a silver in the 100K National Championships in 2007 and a bronze at the 2012 USA Masters Indoor Track & Field Nationl Championships. 

The Falcons have regularly performed in the top three of the NACC under DeLap's guidance. The women's team has posted runner-up finishes at five-straight NACC Indoor Championships, as well as three of the past five Outdoor Championships. The men's team has regularly finished in the top three as well, finishing third at both Championships in 2018.  

DeLap was named the NACC Coach of the Meet on the Women's side at the NACC Outdoor Championships in 2016. He helped guide the Falcons women's team to runner-up finishes at both the Indoor and Outdoor Championships, while also coaching three women to the national meet during the indoor season. Of those, Nicole Larson was an All-American, reaching the feat during both the indoor and outdoor seasons.

In addition to the national qualifiers, DeLap helped coach a pair of Athletes of the Meet during NACC competition in 2016. During the indoor season, it was senior Karli Tatum who was named Field Athlete of the Meet after a pair of first-place finishes. Then, during the outdoor season, Nora Imperl was named Track Athlete of the Meet for the Falcons. 

In 2016 DeLap helped coach the Men to third-place finishes at both the NACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. The Falcons have never finished outside of the top four in the conference under De Lap's direction, and the success continued in 2016. In addition, the Falcons had an athlete qualify for the NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field Championships under De Laps guidance. Tyler White reached the meet in the triple jump, becoming the first male athlete since 2012 to reach a national meet for the Falcons.

The Falcons continued their ability to compete near the top of the conference in 2015, finishing in the top four of the NACC in both men's and women's during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. The Falcons women's team finished in second place in both the NACC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. 

DeLap also was the coach of Tyler White, who was the Indoor Co-Field Athlete of the Meet of the Indoor Championships this season. White won a pair of events, as CUW had four champions at the Indoor Meet. The Falcons also broke several school records once again in 2015.

The 2014 campaign saw the Men's Track & Field squad place third at the NACC Indoor Championships. DeLap helped coach distance runner Martin Hinze to Runner of the Meet honors. The Falcons finished fourth at the Outdoor Championships.

The 2013 season saw the CUW Men finish fourth at both the NAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships. DeLap helped guide freshman Tyler White to Field Athlete and Freshman of the Meet at the NAC Indoor Championships. The Women finished fifth at both championships in 2013.

In his first season as the head coach of the track & field programs, DeLap guided the CUW women to an outdoor conference title. The Falcons amassed 186 points at the conference meet, which followed up a second-place finish during the indoor event.

DeLap is a 1986 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in physical education and an Internship in athletic training. He is also a 1998 graduate of Concordia University Wisconsin with a Master's Degree in business administration in health care.

DeLap is a Retired NATA Athletic Trainer. He also is a USATF Level 3 Certified Coach with an Endurance Specialization as well as an IAAF Level V certified coach with an Endurance Specialization.

Men's Track & Field NACC Finishes Under De Lap

Women's Track & Field NACC Finishes Under De Lap

* The 2020 season was shortened due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.