A 1976 graduate of Tri-Valley High School, she was the school's first Section IX cross country individual champion (as Missy Stratton). She later attended Sullivan Community College and SUNY Cortland where she captained the cross country team. She coached cross country, indoor and outdoor track at Tri-Valley High School from1979-2013, winning 19 Section 9 Class C/D team titles and 5 state team championships. She crowned 19 individual Section IX champions in cross country; 67 individual indoor track & field Section 9 champions; 134 Outdoor track & field champions; 5 cross country individual New York State champions;  4 indoor track and field indoor New York State Champions and had 4 outdoor track and field New York State champions. Missy retired as one of New York State’s winningest cross country coaches ever.