WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic Director of Athletics Courtney Lovely Evans has announced Mark Rennix as the next head coach for the Sailfish cross country and track programs.
"I am very excited to welcome Mark to PBA to lead this next era for the cross country and track programs," Lovely Evans said. "He has demonstrated a wealth of success athletically, and I believe he fits who we are as an institution. I look forward to seeing how he leads our program moving forward on and off the course."
Rennix joins PBA after serving as the head cross country coach and the assistant track coach at Converse University for seven years. During his tenure, he's made the Valkyries men's and women's teams annual contenders in the Conference Carolinas. He was named Conference Carolinas Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year after finishing runner-up at the championship meet this fall. On the women's side, CU won the conference championship in 2023 where Rennix was named Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year. The women's team has finished in the top two in each of the last three seasons.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join Palm Beach Atlantic University as the Head Cross Country and Track Coach," Rennix said. "I want to thank Courtney Lovely Evans and TJ Budd for trusting me with this opportunity to lead such a special program. PBA's commitment to excellence, combined with its mission, creates a unique environment for developing student-athletes both on and off the track. I look forward to building strong relationships, fostering a culture of hard work and integrity, and leading the program to new heights. Go Sailfish!"
In his time at Converse, Rennix has coached 59 all-conference performers: 20 first team, 24 second team, and 15 third team. He has also coached four all-region performances, nine individual conference champions, one conference championship relay, a pair of conference meet records, three freshman of the year awards, one indoor track athlete of the year, five team runner-up finishes, and a pair of team championships in both track and field and cross country.
His teams have also excelled in the classroom, winning four Valkyrie Academic Excellence Team Awards, three USTFCCCA Cross Country All-Academic Team honors, and eight individuals named USTFCCCA Cross Country All-Academic Individuals.
Rennix graduated from USC Upstate in December of 2015 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration before obtaining his Master's in College Athletic Administration from Coker College in June of 2018. Mark has earned his USA Track and Field Levels I and II Certifications.