JOPLIN, Mo. - Missouri Southern Director of Cross Country/Track and Field Bryan Schiding announced Wednesday the hiring of Ashlan Burton as Assistant Coach for Men's and Women's Track and Field, specializing in throws events.
 
"After a highly competitive search, I am very excited to welcome Ashlan Burton as our new Throws Events Coach," Schiding said of Burton. "She understands the dynamic of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association and the level it takes to be successful. At Simpson College, she has proven herself as a great young coach, building the throws program to 27 new top-10 marks in school history. As a student-athlete at Central Missouri, Ashlan excelled both in the field and the classroom, combining for seven All-American honors, six MIAA Conference Championships, and the 2021 MIAA Conference Spring Student-Athlete of the Year."
 
Burton joins the Lions with a remarkable resume as both an accomplished student-athlete and a rising coach in the industry.
 
"What a privilege to join the coaching staff at Missouri Southern," Burton added of joining the MSSU program. "I am excited for the opportunity to lead the throws group. We have a very talented group of student-athletes that I can't wait to work with. Together we will continue to build on the history of success that has been established at Missouri Southern."
 
She heads to Joplin after serving as associate head track & field coach at Simpson College (Indianola, Iowa), working primarily with the Storm's throwers. During her tenure, Burton coached student-athletes to achieve 27 Top 10 marks in the school's history and helped set one school record, showcasing her ability to develop talent and foster success.
 
She also has experience at the high school level, having served as the head strength and conditioning coach as well as a throws coach for track and field at Lee's Summit North High School.
 
As a standout student-athlete at the University of Central Missouri, Burton earned the distinction of being a seven-time NCAA Division II All-American. Her accomplishments include four All-American honors in the indoor shot put and two in the outdoor shot put, with an additional All-American recognition in the discus throw.
 
Burton was also a formidable competitor in the MIAA, claiming six conference championships and receiving the 2021 MIAA Female Spring Athlete of the Year award. She holds the UCM school record in the indoor shot put and ranks in the top five in four other events in Central Missouri's history. Burton capped her collegiate career by being named the Peggy Martin Award winner as UCM's most outstanding female athlete in 2022.
 
Originally from Urbandale, Iowa, Burton graduated from Central Missouri with a degree in psychology. She also earned her master's degree in kinesiology with a focus in sport management from UCM.