Denison University Women's Track

Mark FitzPatrick begins his 15th season as the Head Men's and Women's Track & Field coach at Denison University in 2025-26 while the Fall will also mark his 11th season as Head Men's Cross Country Coach. FitzPatrick oversees the recruiting efforts for each of the programs. The Denison men's track & field team finished first overall at the 2023 North Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship, bringing home the seventh conference title for outdoor track & field in program history but the first since 1991. Denison scored in all 21 events and finished with 162 points, 33 points in front of second-place Wabash College with 129 points. As a team, Denison earned five individual conference championships and 12 total All-NCAC performances throughout the conference championship meet while Coach FitzPatrick and the rest of the Big Red coaching staff (Sarah Oprondek, Ethan Perry, Nicholas Gray, Gene Booher, and posthumously Phil Torrens), were awarded the NCAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Coaching Staff of the Year award. It was the second NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year award for the Big Red in 2023 after closing out the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championship in second place. Coach FitzPatrick was later named the 2023 Great Lakes Region Men's Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). In addition to winning the NCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship, Coach Fitzpatrick and the Big Red won the All-Ohio Outdoor Track & Field Championship for the second year in a row and saw the team collect six All-Oho Championships and 10 total All-Ohio performances. The Big Red also had four All-Great Lakes Region performers for men's outdoor track & field in 2023: Jacob Brown (decathlon), Andrew D'Asaro (javelin), Ari Skolnik (110 meter hurdles) and Gabe Springer (discus). Brown was the NCAC champion in both the heptathlon and the decathlon while D'Asaro capped off his sophomore season with an 11-place finish out of 22 competitors in the javelin at the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championship. On the women's side, Denison finished sixth overall at the 2023 NCAC Outdoor Championships and after earning conference titles in both the 4x200 and 4x400 meter relays, also concluded the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championships in sixth place.  On the cross country course, the Big Red finished in third place at the 2022 NCAC Men's Cross Country Championship, hosted by the College of Wooster at the L C Boles Golf Course. It was the second straight third-place finish at the conference meet for the Big Red, who saw freshman Noah Cyr earn both NCAC Newcomer of the Year and First-Team All-NCAC honors as a rookie with a fifth-place finish and an 8K time of 27:05.2 in the field of 90 total runners. The men then concluded their 2022 season with a 15th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Championship meet, hosted by Hope College at the Three Fires Golf Club in Holland, Michigan, and were paced by sophomore Nathan Bertman, who finished the 8K race at 25:15.1 to place 42nd out of 272 runners. The Denison women's cross country team finished in fifth place at the 2022 NCAC Championship. It was Denison's first top-five finish at the conference meet since Coach FitzPatrick's first season leading the Big Red in 2015. Denison was led by senior Anna Lindower, who earned Third-Team All-NCAC honors and finished in 16th place out of 72 runners with a 6K time of 24:44.1 before leading DU  in 73rd place out of 247 total runners in the 6K race with a final time of 23:04.1 as Denison completed its 2022 season with a 17th-place finish at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Championship. In the Spring of 2022, FitzPatrick coached the Big Red men's track & field team to a fourth-place finish at the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championship, followed by a second-place finish at the NCAC Outdoor Championship, the best finish at the outdoor championship for Denison since winning its sixth conference title in seven years in 1991. The 10 All-NCAC performances Denison collected between both days of the outdoor championship and the decathlon were the most by the Big Red in a single outdoor championship since also earning 10 all-conference honors in 1998. Junior hurdler Charlie Webb went on to win a pair of conference championships in the 110 and the 400 meter hurdles, and was awarded as the NCAC Sprints/Hurdles Athlete of the Year for outdoor track & field. At the indoor conference championships, Senior Keanan Ginell won the conference title in both the 3,000 and the 5,000 meter runs en route to being named the NCAC Men's Distance Runner of the Year. Additionally, the Big Red men also won the 2022 All-Ohio Outdoor Track & Field Championship meet for the first time in program history. On the women's side, Denison finished fifth at the NCAC Indoor Championship and was fourth in the outdoor championship. Freshman Anaya Jolivette was named the indoor NCAC Newcomer of the Year after winning the conference championship in both the 60 and 200 meter dashes, and then she capped off her rookie campaign with a pair of outdoor conference titles in the 100 and 200 meter dashes to earn both the NCAC Newcomer and Sprints/Hurdles Athlete of the Year awards. FitzPatrick coached eight All-Great Lakes Region selections in 2022, including junior Gabe Springer (school record in the discus), sophomore Jacob Brown (school record in the Decathlon), freshman Andrew D'Asaro (javelin), freshman Chris Slater (hammer) and Webb (400 meter hurdles) in outdoor track & field, and freshman Catelyn Gagnier (school record in pole vault), Jolivette (60 meter dash) and Brown (school record in heptathlon) in indoor track & field. In the Fall of 2021, FitzPatrick coached the Denison men's cross country team to a third-place finish in the NCAC, its best finish at the conference meet since 2008, while senior Keanan Ginell won the NCAC Individual Championship, was named NCAC Runner of the Year, made the All-Region team, and became the first Big Red men's cross country runner to compete at the NCAA National Championships since 2011, where he ran a new personal record and finished 93rd in all of Division III. Ginell was the first cross country runner to compete at nationals under Fitzpatrick's tenure as head coach. On the women's side, the Big Red placed seventh as a team while senior Emily Willson earned both first-team all-conference and all-region honors. In 2019-20, FitzPatrick led both track & field programs to seven combined All-NCAC finishes during the indoor season, including the first-career conference title for Bryce Stricker (weight throw). The Denison men's team also left the 2020 NCAC Indoor Championships with a third-place finish, their best since 2009. He also helped the men's cross country team garner three All-NCAC performances, including a first-team honor for Adam Cromwell who placed fourth overall at the 2019 NCAC Championships. During the 2018-19 season, the Big Red claimed 10 All-NCAC selections across the indoor and outdoor seasons, including indoor NCAC titles from James Dixie (long jump) and Ryan Fleming (high jump) and an conference championship from Esteban Sainz (javelin) during the outdoor season. During the cross country season, the Big Red men were highlighted by an impressive senior season from Niall Clancey who brought home All-NCAC second-team honors and was named to the USTFCCCA All-Great Lakes Region team. Adam Cromwell, Emily Willson, and Meagan Balch also garnered all-confernece accolades for the Big Red. In 2017-18, both of Denison's track & field programs placed in the top-six within the NCAC, while Hannah Hall and Arlesha Cospy qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in La Crosse, Wis. Cospy headlined Denison's performances as an All-American in the women's discus event, placing fourth overall.  In 2016, Denison's women's track & field team finished second at the NCAC Outdoor Championship, the program's best finish since winning the meet in 2004. Aedin Brennan was named the NCAC's Field Athlete of the Year and Ajai Brooks received Sprinter of the Year accolades. Brooks, Brennan, Hannah Hall and David Carter all qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships in 2016. In 2014-15, FitzPatrick coached Aedin Brennan to a national championship in the heptathlon at the NCAA Division III. That marked the first national championship by a female track & field athlete in program history. In addition to Brennan's performance at the outdoor championship, Wallace Branche posted an All-American performance in the triple jump at the NCAA indoor championships. In 2013-14, FitzPatrick led the Denison women's indoor team to its first second-place finish since the 2005 season. Led by All-Americans and NCAC Athlete of the Year honorees Aedin Brennan and Tiffany Davis, DU finished 20 points ahead of third-place Oberlin. In the outdoor meet, the Big Red posted its second-straight third-place finish behind performances by Davis, Brennan and Olivia Galano, who all earned All-American status at the NCAA Championship meet. In cross country, Galano, the NCAC Runner of the Year, helped the women's team finish fourth in the conference, while the men took eighth. In his second season at Denison, FitzPatrick guided the Denison women's indoor and outdoor teams to a five-spot improvement in the NCAC standings. Led by Aedin Brennan and national qualifier and repeat NCAC Sprinter of the Year, Tiffany Davis, the Big Red placed third in the conference at the indoor and outdoor championship. In cross country, the DU women finished fifth while the men's team took sixth. In 2011-12, FitzPatrick led the Big Red to eight NCAC individual titles and two All-American performances by senior Dee Salukombo. Salukombo posted his best finish at nationals during the indoor season with a third-place finish in the 5K. At the 2012 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championship, the senior battled through injury to take seventh in the 5,000-meter run. Senior sprinter Chris Roth and sophomore sprinter, Tiffany Davis, also qualified for the outdoor championship. At the conference level, Salukombo was named NCAC Distance Runner of the Year for the outdoor season after capturing conference titles in the 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000-meter events. The senior also won the 3,000-meter run during the indoor season. Davis was a two-time NCAC Sprinter of the Year in 2012. The sophomore won the 60 and 200-meter events during the indoor season and captured the 100 and 200-meter crowns at the NCAC outdoor meet. FitzPatrick came to Denison from Washington & Jefferson College where he has spent eight years as the head cross country and track & field coach. A six-time Presidents’ Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, FitzPatrick led his squads to four PAC championships during his tenure.  In 2011, FitzPatrick led his women’s track & field squad to its third PAC title. The Presidents’ captured nine event titles en route to a 10-point victory over Westminster. Following the meet, FitzPatrick was presented with his sixth Coach of the Year award. At the conclusion of the 2011 season, FitzPatrick was named the USTFCCCA Mid-East Region Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year. He also guided the men’s track & field team to their first PAC Championship in 2010, powered by seven event championships. In 2008, he coached W&J’s first male All-American, Doug Melton, to an eighth-place finish in the discus at the national championship meet. A year later he coached the second female in school history to an All-American finish in the high jump. Prior to accepting the position at Washington & Jefferson he spent three seasons as the head track & field coach at Hiram College. While at Hiram, he led the Terriers to their best finish in conference history and coached five individual conference champions.  Before taking over at Hiram, FitzPatrick served as the assistant women’s cross country and track & field coach at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse from 1998-2000 where he coached seven Division III All-Americans and helped the Eagles to three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles. FitzPatrick also spent two seasons as the assistant cross country and track & field coach at Allegheny College from 1996-1998, helping train five national qualifiers in cross country and track. A 1995 graduate of Fairfield (Conn.) with a double major in philosophy and political science, FitzPatrick went on to earn a master’s degree in exercise and sports science from UW-LaCrosse.   FitzPatrick at Denison Year Season at DU Men's Cross Country Conference/Regional Finish/ NCAA Competitors Women's Cross Country Conference/Regional Finish/ NCAA Competitors Men's Indoor Track & Field Conference Finish/ NCAA Competitors Women's Indoor Track & Field Conference Finish/ NCAA Competitors Men's Outdoor Track & Field Conference Finish/ NCAA Competitors Women's Outdoor Track & Field Conference Finish/ NCAA Competitors 2011-12 1st 6th NCAC 17th Great Lakes Regional Dee Salukombo-8th at the NCAAs 8th NCAC 20th Great Lakes Regional 7th NCAC Dee Salukombo- 3rd in 5,000m Run at NCAAs 8th NCAC 6th NCAC Dee Salukombo-7th in 5,000m Run at NCAAs 8th NCAC 2012-13 2nd 6th NCAC 14th Great Lakes Regional   5th NCAC 12th Great Lakes Regional Michelle Clark- 91st at the NCAAs 4th NCAC 3rd NCAC Aedin Brennan- 10th in Pentathlon at NCAAs 5th NCAC 3rd NCAC Tiffany Davis- 19th 200m dash prelims at NCAAs Aedin Brennan- 7th in Heptathlon at NCAAs 2013-14 3rd 8th NCAC 15th Great Lakes Regional 4th NCAC 8th Great Lakes Regional Olivia Galano- 68th at NCAAs 7th NCAC 2nd NCAC Aedin Brennan- 7th in Penthatlon at NCAAs Olivia Galano- 15th in the 5,000m run at NCAAs Tiffany Davis- 17th in the 60m Dash, 3rd in the 200m Dash at NCAAs 7th NCAC Wallace Branche- 14th in Triple Jump at NCAAs 3rd NCAC Aedin Brennan- 7th in the Hepthlon at NCAAs Olivia Galano- 6th in the 10,000m run at NCAAs Tiffany Davis- 8th in the 200m Dash at NCAAs 2014-15 4th 7th NCAC 19th Great Lakes Regional 5th NCAC 13th Great Lakes Regional T-7th NCAC Wallace Branche- 7th in Triple Jump at NCAAs 4th NCAC Aedin Brennan- 4th in Pentathlon, 9th in Triple Jump at NCAAs 7th NCAC Wallace Branche- 18th in Triple Jump at NCAAs 5th NCAC Aedin Brennan- National Champion in Heptathlon, 8th in Triple Jump at NCAAs 2015-16 5th T-6th NCAC 15th Great Lakes Regional 5th NCAC 11th Great Lakes Regional 8th NCAC 3rd NCAC Aedin Brennan- 2nd in Pentathlon , 14th in Triple Jump at the NCAAs Ajai Brooks- 7th in the 200m Dash 7th NCAC Davis Carter- Qualified for Triple Jump at NCAAs 2nd NCAC Hannah Hall- 10th in High Jump at NCAAs Ajai Brooks- Qualified for 100 & 200m Dash at NCAAs 2016-17 6th 5th NCAC 20th Great Lakes Regional 8th NCAC 20th Great Lakes Regional T-6th NCAC 4th NCAC Ajai Brooks- 7th in 60m Dash at NCAAs Hannah Hall- 15th in High Jump at NCAAs 6th NCAC David Carter-19th in Triple Jump at NCAAs 8th NCAC Arlesha Cospy-16th in Discus at NCAAs Hannah Hall- T4th in High Jump at NCAAs 2017-18 7th 6th NCAC 20th Great Lakes Regional 6th NCAC 22nd Great Lakes Regional 7th NCAC T-6th NCAC 5th NCAC 6th NCAC 2018-19 8th 6th NCAC 18th Great Lakes Regional 7th NCAC 24th Great Lakes Regional 6th NCAC 8th NCAC 6th NCAC 7th NCAC 2019-20 9th 4th NCAC 11th Great Lakes Regional 7th NCAC 16th Great Lakes Regional 3rd NCAC 8th NCAC *NCAC Championship Canceled due to COVID-19 *NCAC Championship Canceled due to COVID-19 2020-21 10th *Season Canceled due to COVID-19 *Season Canceled due to COVID-19 *No NCAC Championship due to COVID-19 *No NCAC Championship due to COVID-19 3rd NCAC 3rd NCAC 2021-22 11th 3rd NCAC 18th Great Lakes Regional Keanan Ginell- 93rd at the NCAAs 7th NCAC 19th Great Lakes Regional 4th NCAC 5th NCAC 2nd NCAC 4th NCAC 2022-23 12th 3rd NCAC 15th Great Lakes Regional 5th NCAC 17th Great Lakes Regional 2nd NCAC - NCAC Indoor T&F Coaching Staff of the Year 6th NCAC 1st NCAC (NCAC Outdoor T&F Champions) - NCAC Outdoor T&F Coaching Staff of the Year - Great Lakes Region Men's Outdoor T&F Coach of the Year 6th NCAC 2023-24 13th 5th NCAC 20th Great Lakes Regional 7th NCAC 26th Great Lakes Regional 5th NCAC  5th NCAC 3rd NCAC 4th NCAC 2024-25 14th 8th NCAC 26th Great Lakes Regional 5th NCAC 24th Great Lakes Regional 3rd NCAC Ari Skolnik - 15th in 60 Meter Hurdles at NCAAs Chris Slater - 13th in Weight Throw in NCAAs 4th NCAC 2nd NCAC Chris Slater - 5th in Hammer Throw at NCAAs Andrew D'Asaro - 8th in Javelin at NCAAs Ari Skolnik - 16th in 110 Meter Hurdles at NCAAs 4th NCAC

Ethan Perry enters his seventh season coaching for the Denison University Track & Field programs in 2025-26. Perry works with the men's and women's throws and as the recruiting coordinator. In January 2025, Perry earned a promotion to Associate Head Coach of Track & Field.  In the 2024-25 season, Perry would help lead the Denison men’s track and field team to a third-place finish at the NCAC Indoor Championships and the women to fourth-place. Perry had a plethora of Big Red throwers receive all-conference honors. For the men’s, Chris Slater (shot put, first, 16.05m; weight throw, second, 17.86m) received All-NCAC distinction twice. For the women’s, Sydney Flores (shot put, first, 12.51m) and Mariel Dorst (weight throw, first, 13.90m) took home first-place after impressive performances across the board. Perry would then help coach Slater to an All-American performance in the weight throw, with the senior grabbing 13th after a throw of 18.26m. Slater would not stop there, as a couple weeks later at the Denison Lid-Lifter meet, he would break the school record in the hammer throw with a toss of 61.85m to give him the record. With the outdoor season coming around, another record was broken, as Andrew D’Asaro broke the school record in the javelin with a throw of 64.07m at the Bison Outdoor Classic. At the NCAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Denison men’s would grab second with a total score of 137.5 points, while the women took home fourth with a total of 77.5 points. The Big Red had three out of the four throwing events take All-NCAC honors, as Slater (first, hammer throw, 57.04m), D’Asaro (second, javelin, 58.51), and Reed Nobili (third, discus, 42.48m) displayed performances to land all-conference. For the women’s, Sydney Flores (discus, second, 38.46m; shot put, second, 13.12m), and Mariel Drost (first, hammer throw, 44.84m) put up a strong showing in the field. D’Asaro and Slater both earned all-region honors, and punched their ticket into the NCAA Championships in Geneva, Ohio. Both Slater and D’Asaro earned first-team All-American honors, as Slater threw 61.85m in the hammer throw to land fifth-place in the event. D’Asaro would place eighth on his final throw, as he threw a 63.02 to earn first-team distinction. The Denison men's track & field team finished first overall at the 2023 North Coast Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship, bringing home the seventh conference title for outdoor track & field in program history but the first since 1991. Denison scored in all 21 events and finished with 162 points, 33 points in front of second-place Wabash College with 129 points. As a team, Denison earned five individual conference championships and 12 total All-NCAC performances throughout the conference championship meet while Coach Perry and the rest of the Big Red coaching staff were awarded the NCAC Men's Outdoor Track & Field Coaching Staff of the Year award. It was the second NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year award for the Big Red in 2023 after closing out the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championship in second place. Perry helped coach sophomore Andrew D'Asaro (javelin), senior Gabe Springer (discus) and senior Mikaila Carpenter (shot put) to All-Great Lakes Region honors for outdoor track & field. At the conference championships, Perry saw sophomore Chris Slater win the NCAC title in the hammer (49.47 meters) while D'Asaro did so with a new school record throw of 61.59 meters in the javelin. D'Asaro then capped off his sophomore season with an 11-place finish out of 22 competitors in the javelin at the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championship. In 2022, Perry helped coach the Big Red men's track & field team to a fourth-place finish at the NCAC Indoor Track & Field Championship, followed by a second-place finish at the NCAC Outdoor Championship, the best finish at the outdoor championship for Denison since winning its sixth conference title in seven years in 1991. The 10 All-NCAC performances Denison collected between both days of the outdoor championship and the decathlon were the most by the Big Red in a single outdoor championship since also earning 10 all-conference honors in 1998. Additionally, the Big Red men also won the 2022 All-Ohio Outdoor Track & Field Championship meet for the first time in program history. On the women's side, Denison finished fifth at the NCAC Indoor Championship and was fourth in the outdoor championship. The lone Big Red track & field student-athlete to compete at nationals in 2022 was junior Gabe Springer, who broke the Denison school record in the discus while qualifying for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship. In addition to Springer, other All-Great Lakes Region selections in the throwing events for Denison in 2022 included freshman Andrew D'Asaro (javelin) and freshman Chris Slater (hammer), all for outdoor track & field. In 2021, Perry coached two athletes to NCAC conference titles. Ashley Schmoll placed first in the javelin while Kylee Silverman took first place in the hammer throw. Both the men and women's teams earned a third place finish at the NCAC Outdoor Championships. At the 2021 NCAC Outdoor Championships, Perry coached seven All-NCAC throwers and the women's throwers earned 71 of a possible 156 points.  In 2019-20, Perry helped lead both track & field programs to seven combined All-NCAC finishes during the indoor season, including the first-career conference title for Bryce Stricker (weight throw). The Denison men's team also left the 2020 NCAC Indoor Championships with a third-place finish, their best since 2009.  Prior to arriving at Denison, Perry worked as the assistant cross country and track & field coach at D-I Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, from 2015-19. Working primarily with the field events, including the shot put, weight throw, discus, hammer throw, and javelin, Perry helped the Red Flash secure eight different school records (men and women) while also securing 18 All-Northeast Conference honors, six NEC All-Rookie selections, and the conference’s Most Outstanding Field Performer Award for Jordan Collins (2016) and Ben Ross (2018 & 2019). Perry was also a member of the 2019 NEC Indoor and Outdoor Coaching Staff of the Year and played a pivotal role in helping Sara Phelan, a standout javelin thrower, qualify for the NCAA Championship as the first woman in school history to achieve this milestone. Phelan finished the year ranked #29 in the United States with an impressive mark of 50.67m (167 feet). From 2013-15, Perry assisted the track & field program and also served as the interim cross country coach at the University of Toledo, overseeing each of the programs while developing and maintaining strength training, recruiting, and program operations. He arrived at Toledo after one season as the assistant track & field coach at his alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan University. A 2013 graduate, Perry received his Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Geology. He is a certified USATF Level 1 & 2 (Throws) Coach and a USAW Sports Performance Coach. Ethan and his wife, Katie, live in Granville with their children, Everett and Riley.

Shaffer begins her sixth season as an assistant track and field coach at Denison in 2016-17 and will coach jumpers. In 2015, Shaffer was named the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Women's Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year.   That spring Aedin Brennan became the first female track and field athlete at Denison to capture a national championship when she won the heptathlon.   In 2013-14, Shaffer played a key part in Wallace Branche earning a berth to the NCAA Outdoor Championship meet in the triple jump. She also coached Branche to two NCAC triple jump titles, while coaching Brennan to a three NCAC titles. The Lancaster, Ohio native served as the 2011 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field intern for the championship meet hosted by her alma mater Ohio Wesleyan University.  Her duties included helping with meet set-up and management, and organizing meet workers.  Shaffer also completed, organized and filed all purchase orders. Prior to her NCAA internship, she earned her masters degree at Muskingum University in 2010.  While serving as a graduate assistant for the Muskies, Shaffer coached a four-time national qualifier in the triple jump.  She also assisted in the training of cross country athletes. Shaffer earned her bachelors degree in physical education from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2008.  The product of Lancaster High School was a five-time national qualifier and earned All-American honors in the Heptathlon in 2007.  She was a 31-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection, a 13-time conference champion, and was named NCAC Indoor Sprint/Hurdle MVP in 2005 and 2006.

Petro enters his second season as an assistant mens and womens track and field coach at Denison in 2016-17 and will continue to coach the Big Red's throwers. In his first season at Denison, Petro coached Arlesha Cosby to a conference title in the discus and a trip to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Championship. Petro is a recent graduate from fellow North Coast Athletic Conference institution Allegheny College, located in Meadville, Pa.  During his time as a Gator, Petro earned five All-NCAC accolades, including conference championships in the weight and hammer throws during his senior season.  He was also a 2015 NCAA national qualifier in the hammer throw and graduated holding program records in the hammer and weight throws. Petro graduated from Allegheny with a bachelors degree in Biology, with a minor in Dance and Movement Studies in the spring of 2015.  In February of 2015, Petro earned his USTFCCCA Track and Field Technical Certification.  Most recently, Petro served as a sport performance coach intern at Rusnock Sports Performance and Fitness in Greensburg, Pa. He has also served as a volunteer at Primal Athletic Training Center overnight throws camp hosted at Allegheny College. Mike is originally from Bolivar, Pa., and currently resides in Newark, Ohio.

Torrens enters his 38th season as a member of the men's cross country coach staff and his 24th season with the women's cross country team. Torren's women's teams have won six North Coast Athletic Conference championships (1998-2000, 2003, 2004, 2005) and his men's team captured a conference title in 1998. The 2012 season saw senior Dee Salukombo captured his first-ever NCAC crown, while classmate Alexander Chappars finished 10th to help DU finish sixth at the NCAC Championship meet in Springfield, Ohio.  At the NCAA Regional, Salukombo and Chappars repeated as all-region honorees with second and 22nd-place finishes, respectively.  Salukombo advanced to the national meet at Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he posted a career-best eighth-place finish en route to his third-consecutive All-American award. In 2011, the Big Red men posted a fourth place finish at the NCAC Championship in Crawfordsville, Ind. and were paced by Dee Salukombo's third-place finish and Alex Chappars who crossed the finish line in 11th place. The DU men went on to finish 10th at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and Salukombo advanced to the national championship race where he finished of 29th place to earn his second-straight All-American certificate. In 2010, Salukombo and junior Katie Navarre both became All-Americans after outstanding performances at the NCAA Division III Championship.  Salukombo placed second at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional and placed 33rd at the national championship meet.  Navarre won the Great Lakes Regional championship and logged a sixth place finish at the D-III Championship. In 2005 the women's team won not only the NCAC Championships, but also the NCAA Great Lakes Regional. The squad eventually went on to finish 24th in the NCAA Division III Championships. The men's team placed second in the NCAC Championships and a very respectable 10th place in the Great Lakes Regional meet. In 2004, Torrens' women's cross-country team made school history, claiming not only their second consecutive NCAC championship, but winning the NCAA regional meet for the first time in school history. With the team win at regionals, the women went on to make their first appearance at the NCAA national meet, placing eighth in the country. In 2008, senior Grant Russo and freshman Dee Salukombo consistently paced the Denison men's cross country team.  Russo earned NCAC Male Runner of the Year honors after winning the NCAC Men's Cross Country Championships, while Salukombo took third in the event.  Russo became just the fourth Big Red individual to win the event and the first since Joe Dunham did so in 1999.  Both runners advanced to the NCAA Cross Country Championships. Torrens' last 17 men's teams have earned four firsts (1990, '91, '92, '98) and six seconds (1989, '93, '97, '99, '04, '08),  in the North Coast Athletic Conference, and his women's team won its first-ever conference crown in 1998 and repeated the feat in 1999 and 2000. The consistent prowess of DU's teams has earned Torrens five NCAC Cross Country Coach of the Year awards. In addition, the men have qualified for a spot in the NCAA regional meet in 10 of the last 11 seasons, and the women have traveled to regional competition for the past nine years. Torrens graduated from Muskingum College in 1968. He began his coaching career at Utica High School from 1968-1972 and continued at Newark High School from 1972-1979. In 1979, he accepted the opportunity to come to Denison as head cross country coach and assistant track coach. In order to further his coaching expertise, Torrens has completed the TAC Level II training seminars held at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  He has also served as an official at the NCAA Division III Indoor and Outdoor Championships at various times over the last 25 years. Torrens and his wife, Sarah, reside in nearby Utica.