Ana Mendoza Pineda joined the Fighting Saints in July of 2024 as an assistant coach for the women’s cross country team. The 2025-26 season will mark Mendoza Pineda’s second year assisting the program.
At St. Francis, Mendoza Pineda assists the program in coordination of practice plans, individual player development, and implementation of strength & conditioning strategies.
Mendoza Pineda graduated from the University of St. Francis (Ill.) in May of 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology, as well as in May of 2024 with a certification in training & development and human resource management. During her time as a student-athlete at USF, she competed for the cross country and both indoor & outdoor track & field programs.
In cross country, Mendoza Pineda was a three-time All-Conference runner, and gained 2022 CCAC Runner of the Year accolades as well as NAIA All-American status for her 15-place finish at the national meet in 2022, where she recorded a personal best time of 17:44.7 in the 5K. Before attending St. Francis, Mendoza Pineda was a two-time All-American in cross country at Joliet Junior College.
In track, Mendoza Pineda competed in a multitude of indoor and outdoor events, including the mile, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 3000, 5000, 4x800, and DMR. She was a 17-time All-Conference honoree (10 indoor, 7 outdoor), and obtained NAIA All-American status six times (4 indoor, 2 outdoor) throughout her collegiate career. Mendoza Pineda claimed CCAC Outstanding Track Event Performer distinctions 10 separate times as a student-athlete, including the in the Indoor events of the 800 (2022, 2023, 2024), 1000 (2023, 2024), and 3000 (2024) as well as the Outdoor events of the 800 (2023), 1500 (2022, 2024), 4x800 (2022). She also was given the title of Overall Indoor Outstanding Track Performer for her complete performance during the 2023 CCAC indoor meet.
Mendoza Pineda is the owner of five University of St. Francis track & field records, including Indoor 800 (2:15.55), Indoor Mile (4:54.66), Indoor 1000 (2:56.08), Outdoor 1500 (4:26.31), and Outdoor 5000 (16:45.15).
