PULLMAN, Wash. -- Cougar alum Kayla Warren has joined the Washington State University Track and Field staff as the Operations Coordinator, Wayne Phipps, Director of Cross-Country/Track & Field, announced Tuesday. Warren, 24, replaces Andrea Sabbatine who left the program last month to pursue other interests after two seasons at WSU.
 
"Kayla will be an excellent addition to our track and field program," Phipps said. "Kayla is highly motivated and possesses both a strong work ethic and a strong understanding of the administrative and athletic goals of our track and field and cross country programs. Her role will be a huge benefit to our coaching staff and as well as our student-athletes."
 
Warren was born in Seattle when her father Chris Warren, a three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, was playing for the Seattle Seahawks. She graduated from Seattle's Holy Names Academy in 2011 and competed for the WSU Track and Field team from 2011-13 and 2014-16. Warren scored two sixth-place finishes in the triple jump at the Pac-12 Championships and qualified and competed twice at the NCAA West Region Preliminary Rounds.
 
Warren earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Sciences with a minor in Forestry in December 2016. While completing her degree, she served as an intern/volunteer at the WSU Bear Center as well as at the WSU Arboretum. In addition to her academics and athletics endeavors, she worked at the renown Cougar Country Drive-In for five years, including more than two years as the head supervisor.
 
"I care a lot about the Cross Country and Track and Field program because of all it did for me while I was a student-athlete," Warren said. "Being a Coug was the best decision I ever made and to be able to return to serve the program that I am so passionate about is amazing. I am so thankful for this opportunity."