>Courtesy University of Washington media relations...
Paul Merca > >//For Immediate Release// >Contact: Brian Beaky >Aug. 13, 2002 > >Greg Metcalf to Head UW Track and Field Program >Former Husky All-American becomes just fifth UW head coach in 84 years >SEATTLE _ Former Husky All-American Greg Metcalf has been named head coach >of track and field and cross country, Director of Athletics Barbara Hedges >announced Tuesday. > >Metcalf becomes just the fifth different head track coach since Clarence >"Hec" Edmundson took the helm in 1919. He replaces longtime head coach Orin >Richburg, who left the University in June to pursue other interests. > >Washington is the second head coaching position for Metcalf, who worked one >season as the head cross-country and assistant track coach at Auburn in >1996-97, before joining Richburg as an assistant at his alma mater in the >fall of 1997. While at Auburn, MetcalfÅfs athletes earned four All-America >honors and seven NCAA Championships berths. > >"Greg Metcalf will bring a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and energy to the >Washington track program. In his prior capacity here as an assistant, he has >proven to be a tireless worker, an effective recruiter," Hedges said. "As an >undergraduate, Greg was an All-American runner, so he certainly knows >firsthand the commitment it takes to excel. That is what he wants with this >program. You could not ask for someone with more passion about Husky track, >and heÅfs the perfect person to head up our program." > >In five seasons directing WashingtonÅfs distance runners, Metcalf has led >the womenÅfs cross-country team to five consecutive NCAA Championships >appearances, including an all-time best ninth placing in 1998. On the track, >he has coached five Pac-10 champions, eight All-Americans and 10 >school-record holders. > >"After eight years with Husky track and field program as both an athlete and >an assistant coach, I am extremely excited to lead Washington in the role of >head coach," Metcalf said. "I have been a Husky fan as long as I can >remember. I strongly believe in this University, our athletic administration >and my athletes." > >A 1993 graduate of Washington with a degree in geography, Metcalf earned >All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at the 1993 NCAA >Championships, and was the 10th overall finisher in the event at the NCAAs >in 1992. A finalist in the steeple at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials, Metcalf >boasts a best collegiate mark of 8:41.17 in the event that is fourth-fastest >all-time at Washington. > >A native of Ephrata, Wash., Metcalf was the 1987 Washington Class A state >cross-country champion, and captured the state title in the 1,600 meters in >1988. > >-UW-
