2008 Woodie Awards
Head Coach John Lynch no stranger to success
Live 2007 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship coverage
Tony Casey
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: Sports
Originally published: 11/16/07 at 11:55 AM EST
Last update: 11/17/07 at 5:51 PM EST
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NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Plattsburgh State Head Cross Country Coach John Lynch is no stranger to being in the lime light for his running.
His running developed through one of the most successful high school running programs in New York state history, Shenendehowa. His junior year of high school, where his team was ranked second nationally, he learned under his coach, Matt Jones, and was able to lower his mile personal best from 4:49 to 4:32.
"He (Jones) is someone who instilled the need for greatness in me," Lynch said. "He made me want to become a coach, and he is actually the guy who encouraged me to take this job here at Plattsburgh."
After his successful high school experience, Lynch went to compete for SUNY Cortland, under legendary distance running Coach Jack Daniels. This is where he acquired school records in the distance medley relay and the 1200m.
Lynch has certainly brought his tradition of success with him to PSUC, as he's bringing the Cardinal women to an unprecedented second consecutive appearance to the NCAA Division III Championships.
With an ever changing running style, Lynch is pumping out quality results.
"Coach doesn't necessarily have a team formula, it's more of an outline for the season and he fills in the specifics of that outline as we go," senior Jen Taft said.
Considering it a learning experience, Lynch continues to mold his craft.
"My coaching changes all the time, I'm always looking to improve my knowledge of the sport," Lynch said.
Since his arrival, he has guided the Cardinal women to their first Regional Championship, coached 11 All-Americans, brought 19 individuals to the national championships and is now looking to improve last year's 29th place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships.
Those very championships serve as a motivator to entire Cardinal women's team.
He noted to the team that Allegheny College, whose cross country team had just finished third in the country after being second to last the year before.
His running developed through one of the most successful high school running programs in New York state history, Shenendehowa. His junior year of high school, where his team was ranked second nationally, he learned under his coach, Matt Jones, and was able to lower his mile personal best from 4:49 to 4:32.
"He (Jones) is someone who instilled the need for greatness in me," Lynch said. "He made me want to become a coach, and he is actually the guy who encouraged me to take this job here at Plattsburgh."
After his successful high school experience, Lynch went to compete for SUNY Cortland, under legendary distance running Coach Jack Daniels. This is where he acquired school records in the distance medley relay and the 1200m.
Lynch has certainly brought his tradition of success with him to PSUC, as he's bringing the Cardinal women to an unprecedented second consecutive appearance to the NCAA Division III Championships.
With an ever changing running style, Lynch is pumping out quality results.
"Coach doesn't necessarily have a team formula, it's more of an outline for the season and he fills in the specifics of that outline as we go," senior Jen Taft said.
Considering it a learning experience, Lynch continues to mold his craft.
"My coaching changes all the time, I'm always looking to improve my knowledge of the sport," Lynch said.
Since his arrival, he has guided the Cardinal women to their first Regional Championship, coached 11 All-Americans, brought 19 individuals to the national championships and is now looking to improve last year's 29th place finish at the NCAA Division III Championships.
Those very championships serve as a motivator to entire Cardinal women's team.
He noted to the team that Allegheny College, whose cross country team had just finished third in the country after being second to last the year before.
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