Clarion University of Pennsylvania Women's Cross Country

Laughlin is joining our coaching staff here at Clarion, said Katis. He is a talented and proven head coach who we feel has all the right qualities to advance our program to the next level. His hiring reflects the fulfillment of a piece of the Athletic Task Force Plan that was accepted by President Whitney in November.  The plan called for adding this position to help increase opportunities for womens athletes at Clarion through the expansion of womens athletics. This is a great start.                   Said Clarion President Dr. Karen Whitney , This hire is an exciting first step towards a new era of excellence for our intercollegiate sports programs. Not only does this create additional opportunities for women to participate in intercollegiate athletics, it also provides a platform to positively impact our enrollment.                 Laughlin comes to Clarion from West Liberty University where he was the mens and womens cross country head coach and assistant mens and womens track and field coach since January of 2010. In cross country, his 2014 womens team placed 3 rd in the Mountain East Conference and the men were 4 th , while in 2013 both mens and womens teams placed third in the MEC.                   I am really excited to come back home and become the womens cross country coach here at Clarion University, said Laughlin. I thank Mr. Katis, the search committee and everyone involved for giving me this great opportunity. I look forward to the challenge of building a strong team at Clarion for years to come.                   From March 2000 through January of 2010 he was the womens cross country, and mens cross country and track and field coach at Buckeye Local High School in Rayland, Ohio. The 2007 girls cross team was OVAC AAAA Team Champions and runners-up in 2006 and 2008. The boys cc team won the OVAC AAAA team title in 2003, 04 and 05.                   A native of Clarion and a 1989 graduate of Clarion Area High School, Laughlin had a standout career as a Bobcat. In Cross Country, coached by Jeff Eyrich, Laughlin won three straight District 9 titles, and placed third at PIAAs in 1986, with second place PIAA finishes in 1987 and 1988.                   In track under coach Alex Arth, he won individual D-9 titles in the 800, 1600 and 3200 races, along with winning the 4 x 800 relay as a junior in 1988. Eric placed 2 nd in the 1600 and 2 nd in the 3200 at the 1988 PIAA meet. In his senior year he again won the 800, 1600, 3200 and relay events at D-9, while placing 2 nd in the 1600 and 3 rd in the 3200 at the PIAA Championships in 1989.                   Laughlin attended Slippery Rock, and after sitting out his first season, became a 6-time NCAA D-II All-American in cross country and track. His cross country career saw him placed 7 th at PSACs, 7 th at Regionals and 48 th at the NCAA Championships as a freshman in 1990. In 1991 he was 3 rd at the PSACs, 2 nd at Regionals and 6 th at the NCAA D-II championships. In 1992 Eric was 4 th at PSACs, 3 rd at Regionals and 14 th at the NCAAs, while in his senior year (1993) he was 2 nd at PSACs, 7 th at Regionals and 21 st at the NCAAs.                   Erics top outdoor track seasons started in 1992 as a sophomore when he was 1 st at PSACs in the 1500 and 5000 events, and then earned All-America honors with a 5 th place finish in the 5000 at nationals. In 1993 he was 3 rd in the 1500 and 5000 at PSACs and earned A-A honors with a 6 th place showing at nationals in the 5000. In 1994, his senior year, Laughlin place 3 rd in the 1500 and 5 th in the 5000 at the PSACs, then went on to an A-A 6 th place ending in the 5000 at nationals.                 Laughlin achieved a B.S. Degree in Physical Education from Slippery Rock in 1995.                   Eric resides in Shippenville, Pa. with son Zachary. His is the son of Debra and Dennis Laughlin of Shippenville, Pa. and has a sister Bridget.                   CLARION NOTES: Eric Laughlin will also assist year round with the distance running program at Clarion D.J. Bevevino is the Womens Track and Field Head Coach at Clarion and is beginning his 6 th year in that role He was the Womens CC Head coach the last five seasons.