View source for Amy Yoder Begley

{{Short description|American runner (born 1978)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name           = Amy Yoder Begley
| image          =  
| imagesize      =  
| caption        = 
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|mf=y|1978|01|11}}
| birth_place    = [[Topeka, Indiana]], U.S.<ref name=fastwomen>{{cite web|url=http://www.fast-women.com/athletes/interviews/amyyoderbegley.html|title=Interview with Amy Yoder Begley|author=Alison Wade|website=Fast-Women.com|publisher=[[New York Road Runners]]|date=August 18, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418044226/http://www.fast-women.com/athletes/interviews/amyyoderbegley.html|archive-date=April 18, 2009|access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>
| height         = 5 ft 4 in
| weight         = 116 lbs
| website        = {{URL|http://amybegley.com/}}
| country        = {{USA}}
| event          = [[3000 m]], [[5000 m]], [[10,000 m]] 
| club           = Atlanta Track Club
| turnedpro      = 
| coach          = Andrew Begley
| collegeteam    = [[Arkansas Razorbacks]] (1997–01)
| retired        = 
| pb             = 
'''3000&nbsp;m''': 8:53.27 <br/>
'''5000&nbsp;m''': 14:56.72  <br/>
'''10000&nbsp;m''': 31:13.78  
| olympics       = 2008 '''10000&nbsp;m''', 26th
| worlds         = 2009 '''10000&nbsp;m''', 6th	 
| highestranking = 
| coaching       =
| medaltemplates =
}}

'''Amy Yoder Begley''' (née '''Yoder'''; born January 11, 1978<ref name=usatf>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/Athlete-Bios/Archive-Bios/Amy-Yoder-Begley.aspx| title=AMY YODER BEGLEY | publisher=USA Track & Field | access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>) is an [[United States of America|American]] running coach and former middle and long-distance runner. Yoder Begley was a national champion at three different distances (3k indoor, 10k road, 15k road) and competed in the 10,000 meter event at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in Beijing.

==High school career==

Yoder Begley attended [[East Noble High School]] in [[Kendallville, Indiana]]. She was a four-time state champion (one cross country and three 3200 meter titles)<ref name=wndu>{{cite web|url=http://www.wndu.com/sports/headlines/22491639.html|title=Goshen born Amy Yoder qualifies for Olympics in thrilling fashion|author=Angelo Di Carlo|date=June 28, 2008|website=wndu.com|publisher=[[WNDU-TV]]|access-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209180110/http://www.wndu.com/sports/headlines/22491639.html|archive-date=February 9, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and held the 3200 meter state record from 1996 until 2011 when it was broken by [[Culver Military Academy|Culver Academy's]] Waverly Neer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ihsaa.org/Portals/0/girls%20sports/girls%20track/2010-11/201011Recap/tabid/1133/Default.aspx|title=2010-11 IHSAA STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP|date=June 4, 2011|publisher=[[Indiana High School Athletic Association]]|access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

==Collegiate career==

Yoder Begley graduated from the [[University of Arkansas]] in 2001. She was a two-time [[NCAA]] champion and a 15-time All-American.<ref name=usatfPR>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/news/view.aspx?DUID=USATF_2008_06_27_22_06_11|title=Stirring performances put Flanagan, Goucher and Yoder Begley on Olympic Team|author=Jill Geer|publisher=[[USA Track & Field]]|date=June 27, 2008|access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref> She was 2000 [[Southeastern Conference|SEC]] Female Athlete of the Year, and in 2016 she was selected to the Southeastern Conference 2016 Class of Women's Legends representing Arkansas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/arkansas-legend-honored-by-sec/|title=Arkansas Legend Honored By SEC |author=Joy Ekema-Agbaw | date=January 21, 2016 | publisher=University of Arkansas |access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref> She won the [[Honda Sports Award]] as the nation's top female cross country runner in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-cross-country/roster/coaches/amy-yoder-begley/256|title=Amy Yoder Begley - Women's Cross Country Coach|website=University of Connecticut Athletics|language=en|access-date=2020-03-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.collegiatewomensportsawards.com/archives/cross_country|title=Cross Country|website=CWSA|language=en|access-date=2020-04-16}}</ref>

==Professional career==
Yoder Begley was a [[Nike Oregon Project]] athlete from 2007<ref name=RW>{{cite magazine|author=Brian Metzler |magazine=[[Runner's World]]|date=April 9, 2011|title=Amy Begley: A Study in Tenacity|url=http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/amy-begley-a-study-in-tenacity|access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref> to 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2011/10/olympian_amy_yoder_begley_beco.html| title=Olympian Amy Yoder Begley becomes the second high-profile departure from the Nike Oregon Project | author=Ken Goe | date=October 14, 2011 | work=[[The Oregonian]] | access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref> She trained with [[Galen Rupp]], [[Kara Goucher]], [[Adam Goucher]], and Josh Rohatinsky under coach [[Alberto Salazar]], who was later banned for life.<ref name=RW /><ref name="autox">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/sports/alberto-salazar-sexual-assault.html|title=Disgraced Running Coach Was Barred for Life for Alleged Sexual Assault|first1=Kevin|last1=Draper|first2=Matthew|last2=Futterman|date=January 31, 2022|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

Yoder Begley placed third in the 10,000 meters at the 2008 [[USA Track & Field]] Olympic Trials in [[Eugene, Oregon]], setting a new personal record of 31:43.60 and qualifying for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.<ref name=usatf2008>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.usatf.org/events/2008/OlympicTrials-TF/results/F14.asp|title=2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field - Results - Women's 10000 Meter Run|publisher=USA Track & Field|date=June 27, 2008|access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>  She placed 26th in the final of the 10,000 meters at the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/trackandfield/news/newsid=218940.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080816224021/http://www.nbcolympics.com/trackandfield/news/newsid%3D218940.html |title=American Flanagan gets bronze in 10,000m |author=Alan Abrahamson |date=August 15, 2008 |website=NBCOlympics.com |archive-date=August 16, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Yoder Begley finished first in the 10,000 meter event at the 2009 USA Track & Field Championship on June 25, 2009, in Eugene, Oregon.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2009/06/amy_yoder_begley_digs_deep_out.html | work=[[The Oregonian]] | title=Amy Yoder Begley digs deep, outlegs Shalane Flanagan for U.S. title | date=June 25, 2009 | author=Ken Goe | access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref> This qualified her to compete in the 12th [[IAAF World Championships in Athletics]] held in Berlin. She finished in sixth place and set a new personal record with a time of 31:13.78.<ref name=berlin>{{cite web|url=http://berlin.iaaf.org/results/racedate=08-15-2009/sex=W/discCode=10K/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#detW_10K_hash_f |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818022847/http://berlin.iaaf.org/results/racedate%3D08-15-2009/sex%3DW/discCode%3D10K/combCode%3Dhash/roundCode%3Df/results.html |archive-date=August 18, 2009 |title=12th IAAF World Championships in Athletics - 10,000 Metres - W FINAL |publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations]] |date=August 15, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2013, she became the women's [[Cross country running|cross country]] coach and women's [[track and field]] assistant coach at the [[University of Connecticut]].<ref name=uconn>{{cite web|url=http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/w-track/spec-rel/080113aaa.html|title=AMY YODER BEGLEY NAMED WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY HEAD COACH|date=August 1, 2013|publisher=University of Connecticut|access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

In December 2014 she was hired as the first full-time coach in the 50-year history of the [[Atlanta Track Club]]. Among her responsibilities are creating training programs for the club's 21,000 members and training two athletes for the [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="ajcInterview">{{cite news |author=Doug Roberson |date=December 22, 2014 |title=Q&A: Atlanta Track Club coach Amy Begley |url=http://www.ajc.com/news/sports/pro-sports/qa-atlanta-track-club-coach-amy-begley/njYZm/ |access-date=March 16, 2016 |work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]}}</ref> The club announced they were separating from Yoder Begley and her husband in 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gazette |first=Aubree Reichel {{!}} For The Journal |date=2024-04-16 |title=Kendallville native Amy Yoder Begley out to change women's running |url=https://www.journalgazette.net/sports/olympics/kendallville-native-amy-yoder-begley-out-to-change-womens-running/article_c3d4cab4-fa11-11ee-b77a-37b367c33cb9.html |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Fort Wayne Journal Gazette |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, Yoder Begley made substantiated allegations against [[Alberto Salazar]] for abuse pertaining to her body and ultimately kicking her off the team for her weight.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lodi |first=Marie |date=2019-11-14 |title=Another Nike Runner Says Coach Criticized Her Body |url=https://www.thecut.com/2019/11/amy-yoder-begley-alberto-salazar-nike.html |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=The Cut |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=sport |first=Guardian |date=2023-11-28 |title=Nike and Salazar settle $20m lawsuit alleging abuse of US track prodigy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/28/nike-and-salazar-settle-20m-lawsuit-alleging-abuse-of-track-prodigy |access-date=2024-06-24 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> She also alleged that Salazar made her sign a contract saying she wouldn't become friends with any of her teammates at the Nike Oregon Project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Strout |first=Erin |date=2019-11-14 |title=Why Women Will Save Running |url=https://www.womensrunning.com/culture/why-women-will-save-running/ |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=Women's Running |language=en-US}}</ref>

Yoder Begley was hired by USATF in 2023 as the director of long-distance running programs. She founded and mentors the Heartland Athletics Club, coached by Andrew Begley and Bianca Martin with athletes [[Allie Wilson]], Emma Grace Hurley, and Gemma Finch.<ref name=":0" />

===Highlights===

* 15-Time NCAA All-American in Cross Country and Track
* 2-Time NCAA National Champion in Track
* 2000 USA Olympic Trials Qualifier
*2000 [[Honda Sports Award]] winner for cross country<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.collegiatewomensportsawards.com/archives/cross_country|title=Cross Country|website=CWSA|language=en|access-date=2020-03-29}}</ref>
* 2001 Avon National 10k Champion
* 2002 United States Team Member - Beijing Ekiden
* 2002 RRCA Road Scholar Grant Recipient
* 2002 Avon Global Championships Runner-up
* 2004 USA Olympic Trials Qualifier
* 2004 USATF 10k Road National Champion
* 2008 US Olympic Team, 10k
* 2009 USATF Indoor 3k champion
* 2009 USA 15k Championship - 1st Place<ref>{{cite web|url=http://1stplacesports.com/grr.html#history|title=History of the Gate River Run|publisher=[[Gate River Run]]|access-date=March 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318232844/http://1stplacesports.com/grr.html#history|archive-date=March 18, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[2009 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships]] 10k, 1st place. Set personal and track record with a time of 31:22.69
* [[2009 World Championships in Athletics]] 10k, 6th place.<ref name=berlin />
<ref name=resume>{{cite web|url=http://begleytrack.com/resume.html|title=Amy Yoder Begley - Resume|access-date=March 16, 2016}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 2006, Yoder Begley was diagnosed with [[Celiac Disease]].<ref name="journal_gazette">{{cite web|url=http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080809/SPORTS13/808090340/-1/SPORTS# |title=Running over medical obstacles |last=Rothstein |first=Michael |date=August 9, 2008 |work=[[The Journal Gazette]] |access-date=March 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618124945/http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080809%2FSPORTS13%2F808090340%2F-1%2FSPORTS |archive-date=June 18, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

She married her husband Andrew Begley in 2000;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://x.com/yoderbegley/status/1282703261930344448?lang=en}}</ref> Begley is also a running coach and partner of Yoder Begley with the Heartland Athletics Club. In 2020, Yoder Begley announced she and her husband had a commitment ceremony with their mutual partner of three years, Stephanie Reynolds Begley.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CClnxaJHp-U/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link |access-date=2024-06-24 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of people diagnosed with coeliac disease]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://amybegley.com/ Website of Amy Yoder Begley]
* {{World Athletics}}

{{Footer US NC 10000m Women}}
{{Footer US NC Indoor 3000 meters Women}}
{{Footer US NC 5K run Women}}
{{Footer US NC 10K run Women}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{Footer USA Track & Field 2024 Summer Olympics}}
{{Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year navbox}}
{{Honda Sports Award}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yoder Begley, Amy}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:American female middle-distance runners]]
[[Category:American female long-distance runners]]
[[Category:Arkansas Razorbacks women's track and field athletes]]
[[Category:Olympic track and field athletes for the United States]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:People from LaGrange County, Indiana]]
[[Category:People from Kendallville, Indiana]]
[[Category:Track and field athletes from Indiana]]
[[Category:Track and field athletes from Atlanta]]
[[Category:USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners]]
[[Category:USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners]]
[[Category:LGBTQ track and field athletes]]
[[Category:NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships winners]]
[[Category:NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships winners]]
[[Category:Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year winners]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportswomen]]