Castleton University Men's Track

Heitkamp is in his second as the Head Coach of the Castleton cross country and track and field teams after an impressive first season. In his first year with the men's cross country team, Heitkamp led the Spartans to a pair of top-two finishes and a fifth place showing at the NAC Championships. He helped Grandon Smith earn All-Conference and All-ECAC honors as well. Heitkamp guided the track and field program to a number of strong finishes in its inaugural season as an NCAA sport. Numerous players recorded top-ten finishes throughout the season, culminating in an impressive showing in the NAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.  The women placed fourth in the NAC Championships, just two points out of third place. Castleton had seven players record top-five finishes, led by victories from Sierra Ostrow-Remey and Brielle DeBaise. A pair of athletes also qualified for New England Championships with their play.  Castletons mens team took home a second-place finish at the Championships, with four different players earning victories. Austin Beauregard, Israel Dudley, Tayler Larmie and Bowen Lord all won their respective events, with Larmie earning Rookie of the Year honors for his efforts all season long. Heitkamp comes to Castleton after spending the past 24 years as the head track and field coach at nearby Fair Haven Union High School. He has won numerous awards with the Slaters, including the National Federation Coaches Association Boys Indoor Track Coach of the Year in 2000. Additionally, he has been named the Vermont Indoor Track Association (VITA) Indoor Track Coach of the Year eight times in the last 12 years. He has captured 23 team state titles as well as produced countless individual state champions, four New England champions, and one All-American.  Heitkamp is also the founder of VITA, a USATF Certified Official, and is an experienced coach in all disciplines of track and field. As an athlete, he ran at the University of Florida, competing in the mile and half-mile distances while also throwing javelin for the Gators.  "I'm excited to help build the Castleton track and field program and move to the college coaching ranks after a successful career at the high school level," said Heitkamp. "I would like to thank Deanna Tyson, Scott Dikeman, and Dave Wolk for this great opportunity to be a part of the Castleton community."