Johnson & Wales University (Denver) Women's Cross Country

Lara is beginning his third season in charge of the Wildcats Cross Country and Track programs. Under Lara, the Wildcats have had seven individuals qualify for NAIA National Championships in the last two seasons. Lara, a native of Alamosa, Colorado, ran collegiately at NCAA Division II powerhouse Adams State University. As a member of the Grizzlies, Lara became one of the most decorated runners in program history. He earned seven national titles under legendary coach Damon Martin.  Lara is a two-time outdoor champion where he won the national title in the 800 meters in both 2005 and 2006. Indoors, Lara was a dominating force where he collected three championships in the 800 meters as well as was a member of the 2006 and 2007 distance medley title teams. He was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Indoor Track Athlete of the Year in both 2007 and 2008 and was honored as the USTFCCCA National Indoor Track Athlete of the Year in 2007. In his collegiate career, Lara earned 13 All-American honors as well as being a 12-time RMAC champion. Lara was named to the RMAC All-Centennial team in 2009 as the conference celebrated the top performers in the organizations history. Adams State University inducted Lara into their Athletic Hall of Fame this past October. He graduated in 2008 from Adams State University with a bachelors degree in Human Performance and Physical Education. Lara coached track and field at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut where the Owls placed third at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships. During his tenure at SCSU, Lara was named the 2011 Division II East Region Assistant Coach of the Year and is slated to be inducted into the USTFCCCA Division II Track & Field Athlete Hall of Fame this spring. Lara returned to Alamosa to assist the Coach Martin and the Grizzlies during the 2012 cross country season. Lara is currently working on his Masters of Business Administration in Health Administration from Adams State