Ruppe Adds Reece Cato To Staff
7/31/2025 10:06:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
MACON, Ga. - The Mercer men's and women's cross country head coach Cameron Ruppe announced the hiring of Reece Cato as a new graduate assistant for the Bears.
Before joining the staff, Cato spent five years as a runner for the Bears. The Cumming, Ga. native ran a career-best 24:44.32 8k as a graduate student at the MGA/Julius Johnson Invitational with a fourth place overall finish. During his sophomore campaign in 2021, Cato crossed second among Mercer runners with a time of 26:25.7 at the Asics Invitational. Additionally, Cato was named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Cato received his undergraduate degree in science and engineering in computer science along with a masters degree in business administration from Mercer. Cato is currently pursuing a masters degree in science and engineering in electrical engineering.
Prior to Mercer, Cato led West Forsyth High School to a pair of top-three finishes at the region meet in 2018 and 2019 and capped off his senior season with a 13th-place finish as an individual and a third-place team showing at states.
"I am very excited to have Reece return this year as our graduate assistant coach," said Ruppe. "He was a great piece of the program for the last five years and will bring that experience and work ethic to the coaching staff. I have no doubt he will help us continue our growth as a program."
Before joining the staff, Cato spent five years as a runner for the Bears. The Cumming, Ga. native ran a career-best 24:44.32 8k as a graduate student at the MGA/Julius Johnson Invitational with a fourth place overall finish. During his sophomore campaign in 2021, Cato crossed second among Mercer runners with a time of 26:25.7 at the Asics Invitational. Additionally, Cato was named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll.
Cato received his undergraduate degree in science and engineering in computer science along with a masters degree in business administration from Mercer. Cato is currently pursuing a masters degree in science and engineering in electrical engineering.
Prior to Mercer, Cato led West Forsyth High School to a pair of top-three finishes at the region meet in 2018 and 2019 and capped off his senior season with a 13th-place finish as an individual and a third-place team showing at states.
"I am very excited to have Reece return this year as our graduate assistant coach," said Ruppe. "He was a great piece of the program for the last five years and will bring that experience and work ethic to the coaching staff. I have no doubt he will help us continue our growth as a program."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
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