Powell Named Assistant Coach
EUGENE, Ore. ? Maurica Powell, one of the forces behind Oregon’s recent resurgence in cross country and the distance events, has been hired as an assistant coach for the Ducks’ nationally prominent track and field and cross country programs, associate head coach Dan Steele announced Wednesday.
Now in her fourth season with the University, Powell has served as a volunteer coach for the Ducks the last three years. She will continue in her role working with Oregon’s women’s distance runners and will also act as the recruiting coordinator for the women’s track and field program.
Working under the guidance of Associate Athletic Director Vin Lananna, Powell helped mentor a women’s cross country program that finished second at both the NCAA and Pac-10 championships in 2007. On the track, 2008 saw the Ducks finish third at the conference meet, which was Oregon’s best Pac-10 finish in 12 years, as the distance group scored 34 of Oregon’s 100 points.
"We are thrilled to hire Maurica," said Steele. "She has proven that she is one of the top distance coaches in the country. Her hiring will enable us to continue the excellence in our cross country teams, while simultaneously building a nationally competitive and well-rounded track and field program."
Last season, Powell helped coach Nicole Blood to All-America awards in both cross country and track (5,000 meters). Zoe Buckman in the 800 meters was another Oregon track All-American, while Alex Kosinski was an All-American in cross country as well as the Pac-10 newcomer of the year.
In 2007, Rebekah Noble repeated NCAA indoor 800 meters runner-up honors, then received her fourth All-America honor that June, while Keara Sammons and Blood were the top freshman finishers in the NCAA outdoor 10,000 meters and 5,000 meters, respectively.
"Maurica has a tremendous understanding of the University of Oregon and a deep appreciation for the larger vision of our program and Track Town, U.S.A.," said Steele.
Before her arrival at Oregon, Powell made an impact as a graduate assistant coach at Columbia University during the 2004-05 season. The Lions’ touted women’s distance program enjoyed a breakthrough year with its 13th-place finish in the 2004 NCAA cross country championships, led by Caroline Bierbaum who took third individually in the collegiate harrier finale, and ran second outdoors in 2005 in the NCAA 10,000 meters (33:03.37). While she coached the Lions, Powell studied as a social work graduate student and worked with disadvantaged Harlem junior high and high school youth.
A middle distance star for Stanford from 1998-2002, Powell still ranks in the top 10 all-time for Stanford in the indoor 800 meters (third, 2:07.51), outdoor 800 meters (ninth, 2:06.63) and 1,500 meters (eighth, 4:16.51), and was an All-American in 2002 in the 1,500 and indoor distance medley relay.
In high school, the Boston-area native was a six-time state track champion for Franklin High School in Franklin, Mass. Her husband, assistant coach Andy Powell, is also in his fourth year as an assistant coach with the Ducks.
- www.GoDucks.com -
