Patty Ley

Born April 2, 1965, Patty Ley's accomplishments in both track and field and cross country are too numerous to fully recount.

As the cross country coach at Gig Harbor High throughout most of the 21st century's first decade, Ley's girls teams enjoyed unprecedented success. From 2004-2009, the Tides never finished lower than fourth in the state. Gig Harbor won three state team titles and placed second in three other seasons over that span.

At the same time, her boys' squads never were out of the Top 10.

Now the cross country and distance coach at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., Ley's successes here in Pierce County were not limited to coaching, however.

A graduate of Gig Harbor High and Pacific Lutheran University, Ley was a part of two state championship cross country teams - as a freshman for Bellarmine Prep in 1979 and for Gig Harbor in 1980. She also was the Class 2A individual state champion in 1980 and 1982.

As a track athlete, Ley was a two-time state champion at 1600 meters, and set the state record of 4:57.1 in 1983, a mark that lasted until 2007. She also won three other track state titles.

Ley still holds PLU school records in the 800, 1500, 3000 meters.