Benson comes to CSUB from the University of Redlands where she served as a graduate assistant coach for the Bulldogs' cross country and track and field programs for the 2010-11 season. Benson began her coaching career at her alma mater, the University of Wisconsin where she was an assistant coach in 2009.

A Hillsborough, Calif. native, Benson helped led the Badgers to a fourth-place finish at the 2006 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. She was also a member of the highest-scoring cross country team that Wisconsin put together in 10 years. Individually, Benson qualified for the NCAA Mideast Regional in the 5000 meters as well as provisionally for the NCAA National Championships in the 10,000 meters.

Benson received her business degree in consumer affairs in 2009 from Wisconsin and she is currently pursuing her master's in education from Redlands.

"Ashley brings to CSUB a wealth of experience at a top program as a student-athlete herself at Wisconsin," Konya said. "We feel her time as an assistant coupled with her competitive accolades as a runner, will be a great combination that will benefit each student-athlete she works with at CSUB."

Benson begins her first season at CSUB on Sept. 1 when the Roadrunners travel to the Malibu Oceanside Open. The following Saturday, CSUB competes at the Asics/UC Irvine Invitational. After a week off, CSU Bakersfield hosts the Roadrunner Invitational on Sept. 24.

After a second bye week, CSUB travels to the UCSD Triton Invitational on Oct. 8 and will head to the Cal State Northridge Invitational on Oct. 15.  The regular season concludes Oct. 21 at the Cal State Fullerton Invitational.  The Roadrunners will enter the NCAA West Regional Nov. 12 at Stanford.

2011 CSU Bakersfield Cross Country Schedule