University of Delaware Men's Track

Pratt, 72 (born 7/1/41), captained the 1963 University of Delaware outdoor team to its first ever conference championship while setting school records in the shot put and the discus. He was the 1963 Middle Atlantic Conference champion in the discus. He returned to Delaware as cross country coach and assistant coach for track and field in 1965. He compiled a 41-17 mark in his five years as cross country coach. While an assistant coach at Delaware, he has coached 36 men's conference champions and five women's conference champions in the throwing events. In addition, he has coached numerous school record holders. He earned his degree in physical education from Delaware in 1963, earned his master's degree in education from Delaware in 1966, and earned a degree in educational administration from Nova University in 1976. Since 1981, Pratt has competed in the U.S. National Masters Track and Field Program where he has won 293 event championships in 317 total national and international competitions. He currently holds the American record in the discus, for men 55-59 years of age, with a throw of 178-9 set in St. George, Utah in 1996. He has won 14 U.S. National discus titles, three U.S. National shot put titles, and four U.S. National Senior titles. During his Masters throwing career, Pratt has won two World Discus titles (Ottawa, 1982; Alberta, 2005); four National Senior Discus titles ((Phoenix, Ariz., 1999; Pittsburgh, Pa., 2005; Palo Alto, Calif., 2009; and Cleveland, Ohio 2013); 14 National Masters Discus titles (Los Gatos, Calif., 1981; Wichita, Kan., 1996; East Lansing, Mich., 1997; San Jose, Calif., 1999; Orlando, Fla., 2000; Eugene, Ore., 2001 & 2004; Baton Rouge, La., 2002; Orono, Maine, 2003 & 2007; Decatur, Ill., 2006; Spokane, Wash., 2008; Oshkosh, Wis., 2009; and Sacramento, Calif., 2010); and two National Masters Shot Put titles (Wichita, Kan., 1982 and Provo, Utah., 1993). Updated 10/12/13    

Cataldo will work closely with head coach Wendy McFarlane with the cross country squad and will direct the Blue Hen distance runners during the upcoming indoor and outdoor track & field seasons. He has three years of collegiate coaching experience at the NCAADivision I level. I am very excited to have Coach Cataldo on board here at the University of Delaware, said McFarlane, the 2014 Colonial Athletic Association Outdoor Track & Field Coach of the Year who led the UD outdoor team to the 2014 CAA title. He is a good fit for our team and the University culture. I know we will work well together as we continue to build a more successful cross country and track and field program. A native of Michigan, Cataldo earned his degree in health sciences and pre-physical therapy fromOakland (Mich.) University in 2011 and is currently pursuing a masters degree in education, sports leadership, and coaching. BLUE HEN SPOTLIGHT: Kevin Cataldo The Match for...

Gadson, who joined the UD staff in 2010, assists head coach Wendy McFarlane and works with Blue Hen student-athletes in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump events. Since he has arrived at Delaware, he has helped the Delaware women's team post fifth place team finishes at the Colonial Athletic Association Outdoor Championships in both 2011 and 2012. In addition, Delaware jumpers have set seven school records, captured 12 indoor meet titles and nine outdoor titles, and posted five top 10 finishes the CAA Outdoor Championships, including a fourth place finishes in by Kelsey Evancho in the high jump and by Amira Idris in the triple jump in 2012. Gadson was a standout performer at NCAA Division I Grambling (La.) State University in 1984-88 where he served as a team captain and competed in the triple jump, long jump, high jump, hurdles, relays, and the decathlon. He was a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion and NCAA qualifier in the triple jump. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at Grambling and served for two seasons working with the jumpers and helping several athletes capture SWAC titles and advance to the NCAA Championships. He also served as a jumping consultant at Alcorn State University (1996-2004) and Coppin State University (2004-06). Gadson has also coached at the high school ranks and served as an assistant coach for the boys and girls teams at the Charter School of Wilmington from 2006-10, where he coached a state champion and school record-holder in the long jump, triple jump, and hurdles. A resident of Wilmington, Del., Gadson has worked as a fire fighter for the City of Wilmington since 1993 and has served as a fire investigator since 1996, conducting arson investigations and providing professional consultations at court hearings. Updated 9/3/13