Cross-Country and Track Coach John Pickens arrived at Missouri Valley by way of Kansas Wesleyan University in 2004. While at KWU Coach Pickens coached the 1997 women's cross-country team to the NAIA National Championship. During his tenure at MVC, he has produced 98 national qualifiers, 22 all-American athletes, and 24 academic all-American athletes. In addition to his coaching duties, Coach Pickens also teaches at Missouri Valley College in the physical education department.
Coach Pickens is a native of Thomas, Okla., and earned his B.S. from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla., and his master’s of education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla.
Cody Knight will be working under the direction of Head Coach John Pickens as a graduate assistant for MVC’s cross-country and track programs. Cody graduated from MVC with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science in 2008. He is currently working on his master’s degree in sports management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala. Cody attended Lebanon Senior High School in Lebanon, Mo., where he helped re-build the men’s cross-country and track programs and received various athletic honors throughout his career. In his time at MVC, Knight was a four-year member of the men’s cross-country team. Cody was also a member of the track and field team, running on the men’s 4x800 relay that finished eighth in the nation in 2004, and still holds the record at MVC.
Danielle Carr will be working as a graduate assistant with Missouri Valley College’s Sports Information Director Tom Sandwith. She will also be assisting Coach John Pickens with the men’s and women’s cross-country and track teams. Danielle completed her bachelor’s degree in public relations in December of 2008 at Missouri Valley College. She is originally from Wellsville, Mo. While at MVC, she was a four-year member of the Lady Viking’s cross-country team. Danielle received NAIA honors as an Academic Scholar Athlete in 2007 and 2008. She is currently obtaining her master's degree in business management.
