COLUMBUS, Ohio – Breanna Clayton has been selected to join the Capital University cross country and track and field coaching staff as announced by head coach BT Pham. Clayton will hold the position of Associate Head Coach for both programs. She will serve as the lead coach when it comes to all distance running and events, while also assisting in other areas of the program. 

"I'm very excited to have Breanna joining our staff," said Pham. "With her ability to relate to our student-athletes and competitive drive, she'll be a great fit for what we want to accomplish. I can't wait to get started!"

"I am very thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Capital University family, as well as to coach at the collegiate level," said Clayton. "Coach Pham has done some great things at Capital, and I can't wait to work with him, learn under his tremendous leadership, and help grow the culture within the program. I am looking forward to helping all of the student-athletes achieve their academic, athletic, and life goals. I'd also like to thank my former college coaches, now mentors, Matthew Scott, Jim Whittaker, and Nick Stenuf for their guidance and assistance throughout my career."

Clayton comes to Capital after most recently serving as an assistant track and field coach with USD 231 School District in Gardner, Kansas. There, she mentored 34 athletes to run a personal or seasonal best in their events. Additionally, she coached a male athlete to a 27-second improvement in the mile, where that individual set a new school record (4:18). She has shown a strong ability to coach progression as many of her athletes have improved their times over the course of her time with the team. 

As a student-athlete herself, Clayton competed for NAIA institution Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. There, she showed a passion for being a leader as she was President of the Student-Athlete Leadership Team at Ottawa, Secretary of the KCAC Student-Athlete Leadership Team, and a Representative of the Women's Student-Athlete Leadership Team. In 2019, Clayton was named the KCAC Women's Student-Athlete Champion of Character of the Year as well. As a competitor, Breanna was the KCAC Champions of Character Medal recipient and was four-time All-KCAC athlete, earning All-Conference honors twice in both cross country and track. She also qualified for the NAIA National Championships in cross country during the 2019 season.

Academically, Clayton was a Daktronics Scholar Academic All-American in both 2018 and 2019, while also being named a KCAC Scholar Athlete for three seasons. 

In addition to her coaching with USD 231 School District, Clayton has spent time as a long term substitute teacher, as an intern with Chadwick's Fitness and Performance Training, as a physiology testing assistant for the Nashville Predators of the NHL, and as a manager of the Johnstown Pool in Colorado. 

Clayton holds a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education from Ottawa University where she graduated in May of 2020. She also completed her Masters in Sport and Exercise Science from Cumberland University -- a program she finished in December of 2021. She is a certified USATF Cross Country Specialist as well.