Coaching Staff
Boys Cross Country Coaching Staff
Ryan McMaster — Head Coach
Coach McMaster is a 2004 graduate of Ben Davis. While here he ran four years of cross country and track. He was also a member of the runner-up state track team in 2002 and a member of the third place team in 2003. He also captained both the cross country and track teams. He attended the University of Indianapolis, a Division II school on the south side of Indy. While there he ran all four years both in cross country and track graduating with a History Education Degree and with distinction from their Honors College. He later went back to UIndy to complete his Masters in Educational Leadership.
This is Ryan’s 16th year teaching and coaching. Prior to being named the head coach, he was an assistant for boys’ cross country. His first 5 years he spent assisting on the girls’ side before switching over to the boys. Coach McMaster has been the distance coach for boys track and field for the past 12 years. Ryan is excited, as always, to work with the distance crew at his alma mater again! He wants to thank all of the coaches and mentors who have helped him develop his training philosophies and plans. He is excited for the 2023 season and what it holds for his runners!
Ryan has been married to his wife, Cassie, who works as a lab technician at the VA Medical Center, for the past 10 years. They have three children: Declan (8) Norah (6) and Theo (2). Ryan still runs and trains for 5K’s, half marathons, marathons and some ultra marathons.
Voicemail: 317-988-7456
Connor O’Day — Assistant Coach
Coach O’Day graduated from Ben Davis in 2015. While at Ben Davis, he was a part of both the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. He earned varsity letters for both in his junior and senior years. He was also a part of the 2015 IHSAA State Runner-up Track Team.
After high school, he attended Purdue University where he graduated with a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education in 2020. This is Coach O’Day’s 4th year of coaching and teaching. He currently teaches 5th-grade Social Studies at Chapelwood Elementary.
Voicemail: 317-988-6432
Hayden Baldwin–Volunteer Coach
Coach Baldwin will begin his first year as a volunteer coach for the Giants. He is a 2019 Ben Davis graduate. Coach Baldwin was a member of our Giants boys cross country and track and field teams all four years in high school. In 2022 he graduated from the University of Indianapolis where he majored in chemistry. While there, he was also a member of the men’s cross country and track and field teams as well.
Coach Baldwin is excited to be back at his alma mater to be mentoring those in the position he was in just a few years ago.
Voicemail: 317-988-7141
Laura McMaster — Volunteer Coach
Coach McMaster is in her 20th year of coaching for our cross country program. She began her career at Ben Davis coaching Coach McMaster and for the last six years has coached with Coach McMaster. Laura was an assistant coach at Greencastle High School in cross country and track for eight years. She is grateful for all the coaches who have mentored her, especially Ryan McMaster.
Coach McMaster has a Masters Degree in Special Education and taught a Life Skills class at Cloverdale High School. She just retired in May of 2023 after 42 years of teaching.
Laura enjoys running and training for SK’s and half marathons, and spending time with family especially Declan, Norah and Theo.
Joe Smoker — Assistant Coach
As a 2006 alumni of Ben Davis High School, Coach Smoker ran all four years. He was a member of the boys cross country and track and field teams.
After high school, he attended Ball State University where he graduated with a degree in Urban Planning and Development in 2010. The 2023 Cross Country season will be Coach Smoker’s return to Ben Davis having previously coached in 2012 and 2013 and seventh year as a cross country coach.
Coach Smoker recently married his wife, Beth, and works in affordable housing development on the east side of downtown Indianapolis. He has completed several ultra marathons, marathons and half marathons.
