WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University has announced the hiring of
Darin Shepardson as the new head coach for men's and women's cross country. Shepardson will also serve as an assistant coach for track and field.
"It's with great excitement that we bring Coach Shepardson to Winona State," said Winona State Director of Athletics
Jen Flowers. "His longtime commitment to the sports of cross country and track and field, along with his deep regional roots, make him a tremendous hire for us. Coach Shepardson values the student-athlete experience, and I know our teams will benefit from his leadership. I anticipate our programs to remain highly successful under his guidance."
Shepardson has served as the Onalaska High School Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach since 1994.
"I'm so excited to bring
Darin Shepardson onto our coaching staff to work with our student-athletes," exclaimed head track and field coach,
Mason Rebarchek. "He's an incredible person and coach. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help us continue to build this program in a positive direction."
Throughout his tenure at Onalaska, Shepardson most recently led the boys cross country program to a WIAA Division 1 State Championships in 2021, the track and field team to a state runner-up finish in 2024 and guided the DMR team to win the Nike Outdoor Nationals championships in 2024, setting a meet record time. Shepardson has coached four teams to WIAA Division 1 State Runner-Up finishes.
During his career, Shepardson has been honored as the WIAA D1 Coach of the Year, has been recognized as the District Coach of the Year multiple times, and has collected several Mississippi Valley Conference Cross Country/Track & Field Coach of the Year awards.
As a student-athlete at UW-La Crosse, Shepardson was a three-time NCAA DIII All-American, NCAA DIII National Runner-Up in the Steeplechase, three-time WIAC Champion, and qualified for nine NCAA DIII National Championships. Shepardson is also in the Winona Senior High School Hall of Fame.
