Air Force Names Track & Field, Cross Country Head Coaches
10/13/2022 11:34:00 AM | Cross Country, Track and Field
Scott Steffan (track & field) and Laura Bowerman (cross country) will lead those programs.
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – First-year director of Air Force track & field and cross country Ryan Cole officially announced the promotion of Scott Steffan and hiring of Laura Bowerman this afternoon (Oct. 13), as he continues to build his staff. Steffan, in his 16th season at the Academy, will serve as the head coach of the Falcons' track and field team, while Bowerman will be the head coach of the cross country team.
"These two positions will be key for us moving forward" Cole said. "Having a point-person for both cross country and track & field will allow more specific oversight across seasons, but also provide opportunities for staff members to have stronger leadership roles within our program."
Steffan, a three-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Assistant Coach of the Year, has been an integral part of the Falcons' overall success since his arrival in 2008. As the coach of Air Force's vertical jump squad, he has seen his athletes claim 21 All-America awards, seven top-five finishes at the NCAA Championships, 29 Mountain West titles, and 83 all-conference (top-three) finishes. He also coached Air Force to a 1-2 finish in the decathlon at the 2022 MW Outdoor Championships – his first season overseeing that event group.
"Coach Steffan has been an invested staff member for over 15 years at the Air Force Academy" Cole continued. "He does a great deal for the program while also being consistently productive in his recruitment and development of cadet-athletes. He'll be responsible for coaching our multi-event athletes in addition to his previous responsibilities with our vertical jumps."
Click here for Steffan's full bio.
Bowerman joined the Academy after an impressive coaching stint at New Mexico that included several NCAA titles, including a pair of team titles in women's cross country. Overseeing the distance and middle distance runners in Albuquerque for the last seven years, Bowerman helped four Lobos combine for seven individual national titles, as well as numerous Mountain West championships and All-America accolades.
"Coach Bowerman has been a key part of arguably one of the top female distance programs in the NCAA over the last seven years," Cole said. "But her experience goes far beyond, notably in large-scale meet management and track & field at the highest level. She's very diligent and her work ethic is immense. Coach Bowerman's addition to our staff will benefit the distance groups, make a strong impact on our women's track & field team, and elevate many other facets of our program's internal and external operations."
Click here for Bowerman's full bio.
"These two positions will be key for us moving forward" Cole said. "Having a point-person for both cross country and track & field will allow more specific oversight across seasons, but also provide opportunities for staff members to have stronger leadership roles within our program."
Steffan, a three-time USTFCCCA Mountain Region Assistant Coach of the Year, has been an integral part of the Falcons' overall success since his arrival in 2008. As the coach of Air Force's vertical jump squad, he has seen his athletes claim 21 All-America awards, seven top-five finishes at the NCAA Championships, 29 Mountain West titles, and 83 all-conference (top-three) finishes. He also coached Air Force to a 1-2 finish in the decathlon at the 2022 MW Outdoor Championships – his first season overseeing that event group.
"Coach Steffan has been an invested staff member for over 15 years at the Air Force Academy" Cole continued. "He does a great deal for the program while also being consistently productive in his recruitment and development of cadet-athletes. He'll be responsible for coaching our multi-event athletes in addition to his previous responsibilities with our vertical jumps."
Click here for Steffan's full bio.
Bowerman joined the Academy after an impressive coaching stint at New Mexico that included several NCAA titles, including a pair of team titles in women's cross country. Overseeing the distance and middle distance runners in Albuquerque for the last seven years, Bowerman helped four Lobos combine for seven individual national titles, as well as numerous Mountain West championships and All-America accolades.
"Coach Bowerman has been a key part of arguably one of the top female distance programs in the NCAA over the last seven years," Cole said. "But her experience goes far beyond, notably in large-scale meet management and track & field at the highest level. She's very diligent and her work ethic is immense. Coach Bowerman's addition to our staff will benefit the distance groups, make a strong impact on our women's track & field team, and elevate many other facets of our program's internal and external operations."
Click here for Bowerman's full bio.
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