Michael Moffitt will add the title of Director of Cross Country for Grace during the fall season; he will be assisted by current assistant coaches Korry Hamlin and Jesse Zvers.
A national search for Grace’s next cross country coach will begin this fall.
“This has been and will be one of the hardest decisions of my life, primarily because of the implications it has on the wonderful young men and women within the program. The last five years within the Grace College community have been incredibly powerful and formative for me,” Poyner said. “I would like to thank Dr. Drew Flamm, Coach Chad Briscoe and the rest of the Grace College Administration for their unwavering belief in me, their support of the cross country and track and field family, and their contagious desire to live, lead and love in Christ-centered and selfless ways. I have the utmost respect and owe so much of my professional, vocational and spiritual growth to the men and women within this incredible department and college.”
Poyner led Grace to new heights during his four-year head coaching career, guiding the Lancers to uncharted territory as a program.
Grace has won seven national championships since Poyner became a head coach, including four cross country titles and three for track and field. His staff was named the NCCAA National Coaching Staff of the Year in each of the last two seasons for cross country.
“We are extremely appreciative of the work Jake has done with our distance program over the past several seasons. His pursuit of Christian excellence was evident from day one and has been clear to see through the growth of the team,” said Grace Director of Athletics Chad Briscoe. “We are thankful for all of Jake’s service and leadership of our student-athletes. While we are sad to see him go, we are excited for his new opportunity to continue making an impact for the Lord.”
Poyner’s student-athletes have rewritten the distance record books as well. He coached Grace’s first NAIA All-American for women’s cross country, and he helped the men and women qualify as a team for the NAIA cross country championships together for the first time. Lancers collected five NAIA All-American nods for cross country during Poyner’s tenure, including the first three in women’s team history.
Grace earned the No. 8 ranking as the NAIA Program of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.
Poyner was named the USTFCCCA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year for track in 2022.
Additionally, Poyner coached Grace’s first NAIA indoor track and field national champions as the men and women swept the 4x800-meter relay in 2023.
The cross country program grew in size as well under Poyner, increasing from a roster of 20 to 56 under his direction. He also oversaw drastic improvement on Grace’s home training course (Lancer XC Trail).
“While I am excited for this new challenge in my life and trusting the Lord with what’s next for me and my opportunities to impact others, Winona Lake will always be home to me,” Poyner added. “I have complete faith in the current coaches on staff and believe wholeheartedly in Coach Briscoe’s wisdom and discernment in emboldening and equipping this program toward even greater heights and opportunities.”