COURTNEY MELDRUM, Lone Peak Head XC and T&F Coach

Courtney Meldrum, a former BYU All-American steeplechaser (BS ‘01 in Community Health), has channeled her elite running pedigree into a stellar coaching career at Lone Peak High School in Highland, Utah, where she serves as head coach for both cross country and track & field.  Since taking the helm, Meldrum has transformed the Knights’ girls cross country program into a powerhouse in Utah’s ultra-competitive 6A classification, emphasizing pack running, mutual trust, and resilience—lessons drawn from her own days navigating barriers on the track. 

Under her guidance, Lone Peak’s girls team has claimed an astonishing five state titles in the past six years (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and another in 2024 for a near-perfect sweep), including dominant performances like a near-perfect score of 19 points in 2023 and all five scoring runners finishing in the top 11 in 2024.   The program has also qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals multiple times, securing a fourth-place finish in 2019 after Meldrum meticulously built the squad in one of the nation’s toughest states for distance running.  Her teams thrive on diverse talent, including multi-sport athletes like mountain biker Andie Aagard (individual state champ in 2023) and soccer standout Addie Meldrum—Courtney’s own daughter—who push the group to new heights despite juggling schedules.  

Meldrum’s philosophy shines in her post-race reflections: “It’s hard to know as a coach when to peak them… you just have to have faith and trust in the process.”  Beyond trophies, she fosters “thoughtful and really good girls” who run like a unit, tripping over each other in practice from sheer intensity.   In 2024, her recognition as UHSAA Coach of the Year for girls cross country capped a season of unrelenting dominance, proving her blend of strategic acumen and heartfelt mentorship continues to elevate young athletes toward their personal bests.