LUBBOCK, Texas (July 1, 2026) – Lubbock Christian University Director of Cross Country and Track and Field Tyree Gailes has announced the hiring of Nicholas Rivera as the new Head Cross Country Coach, taking over both the men's and women's distance programs.
 
"We are excited to have Nicholas Rivera join our staff at Lubbock Christian University," Gailes said. "Nick was a strong competitor as a collegiate athlete himself and has translated that into his coaching career. He will be a great fit for the culture of LCU as we continue to build our running program."
 
Rivera comes to LCU after four years at Artesia High School, where he has served as the Head Cross Country Coach for the last four seasons. While there, he led the girls team to four district titles and earned another three district titles on the boys side.
 
He also assisted with distance runners on the track and field team as well as the high jumpers. Rivera coached more than 40 state qualifiers and helped the boys team to a state runner-up finish in 2025.
 
As an athlete, Rivera had a decorated career as a distance runner at Texas Tech. He swept the 800-meter indoor and outdoor Big 12 Conference championships in 2013, becoming the first athlete to do so in five years, and was a member of the 2014 outdoor Big 12 Champion team.
 
Rivera also competed for Team USA at the Junior Track and Field Championships in 2013, where he won the 800-meter, earning a spot on Team USA for the Pan-Am Games. He was selected by the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee from 2016 to 2018.
 
He takes over a Lubbock Christian cross country team from Leigh Cordes that saw both teams record improved finishes in 2025. The men's team placed sixth at the Lone Star Conference Championships, which was their highest finish since 2019. The women's team took eighth at the conference meet.
 
Rivera has a wife of six years along with a daughter and a son.