Creston, IA—After an extensive external search, Southwestern Community College (SWCC) looked within to find the right person to lead the college’s new track and field program. Bill Huntington, who has been the Spartans cross country coach for the past six years, was announced as the head coach for the college’s new track and field program that will begin this fall. Huntington is wrapping up his duties as dean of students at Orient-Macksburg High School and will start full-time at Southwestern on July 9.
SWCC has had a cross country program in place since 2006. The Spartans’ men’s and women’s cross country teams, under the direction of Huntington and Assistant Coach Cari Stalker, have been national contenders throughout the years. They have led the Southwestern cross country team to a national ranking for the past six years.
Huntington has also succeeded in coaching at the high school level for Orient-Macksburg. “I have been fortunate to lead three separate sports—cross country, track and field, and baseball—to conference and district championships,” Huntington explained. “During five of 11 seasons our cross-country teams qualified for the state meet and our track teams have qualified dozens of athletes for the state track meet."
Bill Krejci, SWCC athletic director, is excited about the addition of track and field to the college’s running programs. “Track and cross country go hand in hand at the collegiate level,” stated Bill Krejci, SWCC athletic director. “Student athletes are much more likely to come to a college that offers both sports."
According to Krejci, recruiting for the cross country and track and field programs have gone well this summer. Currently, Krejci estimates 30 student athletes will be participating in the programs beginning with the fall 2012 semester.
The college’s track and field position is paired with a career and technical recruiter position in SWCC’s admissions department.
“In this position, Bill will focus on the recruitment of students for Southwestern’s career and technical education programs,” explained Dr. Matt Thompson, SWCC dean of student services. “He will visit high schools to educate students and educators about the career-related programs offered at SWCC.”
The college has 23 one- and two- year career and technical education programs in fields such as agriculture, automotive, business, construction, health, and technology.