Program History

PHSC's women's cross country program was created in 2005 and became the first cross country program in the Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA). Since the inaugural season, nine other FCSAA programs have joined this growing sport. Under the direction of head coach, Jacki Wachtel, PHSC consistently ranks nationally in the top twenty-five and has won the NJCAA Region VIII cross country championship four consecutive years (2016-2019).

Women's Cross Country Coaching Staff

  • Jacqueline Waller

    Jacqueline Waller

    Head Coach

    BS, Ohio University
    MS, University of South Florida

    Jacki Waller started the PHSC women’s cross country program in 2005. In fifteen seasons at the helm, Waller has led the Bobcats to the national stage, ranking 10th at the 2018 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) National Cross Country meet held at Garden City Community College in Garden City, KS. In 2016, PHSC won the Inaugural Florida College System Activities Association/National Junior College Athletic Association (FCSAA/NJCAA) Region 8 Women’s Cross Country Championship in Tallahassee.  The Region Champions have defended their title for three consecutive years.

    Waller has observed two of her runners achieve All-American status; PHSC student athlete Kayla Bratcher earned the honor at the Half Marathon National meet in 2011; Samantha Greenlee became a two-time All American in 2012 and 2013 through her success in the Half Marathon National meet and the 5K NJCAA National Cross Country meet. Olivia D’Angelo earned All American honors at the 2018 5k championships and the half marathon championships. Grace D’Angelo and Quincy Mayer also earned All American Honors at the 2018 half marathon championships.

    Waller graduated from River Ridge High School in 1997, having achieved high school state championship status for the 3,200 meter (two mile) race in 1995. She continued her running endeavors on a cross-country/track scholarship to Ohio University (OU) where she spent 12 seasons on the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track teams. After earning her bachelor’s in secondary education from OU in 2001, Wachtel returned to the Tampa Bay area and earned her Masters of Science in biostatistics from the University of South Florida.

    Prior to signing on as head coach at PHSC, Waller spent two years as head coach for the boy’s track team and the boy/girl cross country team at J. W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Fla. From 2002 to 2008, Waller was a math instructor at the high school as well. She continues to teach at the high school level at Pasco eSchool in addition to being an adjunct math instructor at PHSC.

    She continues to compete in races, most recently taking first place in the 2023 Clearwater Marathon, women's division and the 2019 Iron Girl Half Marathon in Clearwater, Fla. She also finished first in the female overall category in the 2019 RAP River Run 10K in New Port Richey, Fla.