The 2014-15 season marks the firstfor Dan Allen as head track & field and cross country coach atMarian University as announced by Director of Athletics JasonBartelt on Aug. 22, 2014.
Allen arrives at Marian by way ofAugustana College (S.D.), a member of the ever-competitive NorthernSun Intercollegiate Conference in NCAA Division II. The Waite Park,Minn. native served as a graduate assistant track & field andcross country coach for the Vikings.
“I’d like to thankJason Bartelt for offering me this tremendous opportunity,”Allen said. “I am extremely excited to get started, to meetthe team and to build off of last year. I cannot wait to begin thebuilding process that will make us a championship contendingteam."
A perennial power in the crosscountry ranks, the Vikings finished third-nationally on themen’s side in 2013 and national runner-up on thewomen’s side in 2012. In track & field, Augustana had 47athletes earn All-Conference honors in combined indoor/outdoorcompetition in 2014.
“Dan brings a wealth ofknowledge from a very historic and successful Division II programin Augustanta College,” Bartelt said. “His enthusiasmand energy is incredible and something we absolutely are lookingforward to having in our track & field and cross countryprograms. He’s a first-time head coach, but has learned fromsome of the best in the business and that should set him up for avery successful career as well.”
Allen was a former Northern SunIntercollegiate Conference cross country and track standout,competing for St. Cloud State University as a student-athlete.
He earned All-NSIC honors in 2011 in cross country and All-NSIChonors seven times for his performance in the 800-meter, mile and1500-meter runs. Allen also holds the school-record in the800-meter run and finished 11th in the same event at the 2010 NCAAChampionships.
He brings a wealth of leadershipexperience from his years of serving as captain for St. CloudState's cross country and track teams.
Allen received his bachelor's degree in sports management from St.Cloud State in 2011, while being named to the Dean's List on sixseparate occasions.
Allen honed his coaching skills as an assistant for the CathedralHigh School cross country teams in St. Cloud, Minn. Under Allen'stutelage, Cathedral High School earned a sixth place finish at theMinnesota State High School Championships in 2006.
Allen currently resides in Fond du Lac.
