By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Former Fort Hays State University track and field standout Zach Kindler passed away Monday night.

Kindler, who has served as the head coach of the men’s and women’s track and field and cross country programs at Baker University since 2007, passed away suddenly at age 35 from severe cardiac arrest, according to Baker University.

The Esbon, Kansas native won a NCAA II national championship in the javelin throw in 2001 at Fort Hays State and was a four-time All-American at FHSU before graduating in 2001. Kindler still holds the school record for the javelin at 234’1”.

Kindler served as a graduated assistant coach for FHSU in the spring of 2004.

Later that year, Kindler was named the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan.

Kindler became the head track and field and cross country coach at Baker University in 2007.

A prayer service has been scheduled for 11 a.m. at Osborne Chapel at Baker University.

Kindler is survived by his wife, Sara, and three children, Taylor, Tessa and Carter.