By: Mark Reinhiller
Mallory Dominguez, who this past spring served as interim co-head coach for both the NJCAA champion men's track and field team and runner-up women's team, has been named head coach for both programs as well as and men's and women's cross-country programs.
The New Lenox native has been instrumental in the Chaparrals' success, beginning in 2022 as a men's and women's assistant coach for both cross country and track and field.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to coach both track and field and cross country for men and women," she said. "I'm grateful to be here at COD, where the support is across the board and I'm looking forward to playing an even bigger role as head coach. It's been a great two years where our staff has pulled together, and we've experienced success. By working even harder, I know we can continue what we've accomplished.”
COD has won three NJCAA team championships in her two seasons, earning men's cross country in 2022 and men's track and field in 2023 and 2024. The Chaps finished second in women's track and field in 2023 and 2004, and second in men's cross country in 2023.
I'm grateful to be here at COD, where the support is across the board and I'm looking forward to playing an even bigger role as head coach.
Mallory Dominguez
Under her direction, COD distance runners have earned five NJCAA All-American honors in men's cross country, three in women's cross country, seven in men's track and field, and two in women's track and field.
She and Floyd Turner, who took over as co-head coach for track and field after Robert Cervenka resigned this winter, were named USTFCCCAA NJCAA 3 men's coaches of the year for the Chaps' record-setting fourth straight title.
Under Dominguez, Nicholas Keeling won the men's individual cross country title in 2022 and won the 5,000 in track and field that spring, along with 3,000 steeplechaser Sheldon Powell in 2023. Kevin Diederich won the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in 2024. Lillian Buzani finished second in the 2023 women's 5,000, and Carmen Solis was the 2023 women's cross-country runner-up.
Director of Athletics and Recreation Ryan Kaiser said Dominguez has been a strong assistant with cross country and track and field for a number of years.
"Her passion for our athletes and continued desire to challenge them to be successful both academically and athletically shows her dedication at developing as a coach," he said. "She carried a heavy load when the previous head coach stepped away. She ensures everything was taken care of while teaching in Joliet.
"I'm proud to have coach Dominguez join our staff and carry on the winning tradition for our track and field and cross-country programs.”
Dominguez served as the head track and field coach at Joliet West High School from 2020-22 with assistant coaching stints at Joliet Central and Lincoln-Way West, which earned its first IHSA cross country qualifying team in history in 2021. She also served as a track assistant at Lincoln-Way Central and cross-country assistant at Joliet Central.
She ran collegiately at St. Francis, where she was a standout distance runner in both track and cross country. She helped her cross-country team reach the NAIA national meet in 2016. She earned NAIA All-Academic Scholar honors. Her prep career at Lincoln-Way included competing in four IHSA cross country and track and field championships. She was the section champion in the 3200 her senior season.
She is a University of St. Francis graduate (bachelor's degree in mathematics with secondary licensure) and earned her master's degree from American College of Education in bilingual/ESL education. She is a mathematics educator at Joliet Central High School.