Mike Fruchey enters his eighth season as Head Women's Cross Country Coach at IPFW.

During his tenure, the women's team has improved its NCAA Great Lakes Region placing each year and this past fall earned its first regional ranking. New school records have been set for the 5k (17:56/2006) and for the 6k (21:53/2005) races. In addition to attaining athletic achievements, Coach Fruchey emphasizes academic excellence. This is exemplified by five consecutive (2002-2006) NCAA Division I All-Academic Team distinctions by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Coach Fruchey attended Taylor University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1991. While at Taylor, Fruchey qualified for two NAIA national cross-country meets and two NAIA national track meets. As a senior, Fruchey was voted MVP for both the cross-country and track teams. Also, in 1991, Fruchey earned National Christian College All-American Honors with an 11th place finish, completing the 8k distance in 25:33.

After finishing his undergraduate degree, Coach Fruchey earned a graduate teaching assistantship from Ball State University and completed a Master of Arts degree in Physics in 1993. While attending Ball State, Fruchey served as an as a Volunteer Assistant Cross Country Coach at Taylor University.

Coach Fruchey by the numbers (2000-Present):

NCAA Great Lakes Regional team places of 16th(2006), 17th(2005), 20th(2004), 26th(2003), and 32nd(2002).

USTFCCCA All-Academic Team from 2002-2006.

Best season record of 122-28 (81% winning percentage) (2006)

NCAA Division 1 Independent Championships - 2nd(2006) and 3rd(2005)

Invitational Championships - 2006 Dayton Invitational

The top five all-time 5k performances led by Ashley Ritchey's 2006 record of 17:56.15.

The top nine all-time 6k performances led by Ashley Ritchey's 2005 record of 21:53.50.

NCAA Division 1 All-Independent runners - Ashley Ritchey and Mary Ballinger (2006) Ashley Ritchey and Crystina Martinez (2005)

Individual Champions - Ashley Ritchey - 2006 Dayton Invitational, 2006 Falcon Invitational