Kwiatkowski Joins Washington Staff
July 12, 2018 | Cross Country, Track & Field
SEATTLE – Washington Director of Track & Field Maurica Powell and Head Coach Andy Powell have found another fit for their first staff, bringing aboard Chris Kwiatkowski to serve as assistant coach for the distance running events. A native Washingtonian, Kwiatkowski ran for the Powells at Oregon before launching his coaching career at American University.
Kwiatkowski's hire comes on the heels of the addition of Associate Head Coach Toby Stevenson, who will oversee the jumps and multi-events.
Hailing from Bellingham, Wash., Kwiatkowski earned All-America honors as a senior with the Ducks. While pursuing a post-collegiate running career, he entered into coaching at American in Washington, D.C. where he has spent the past six seasons.
The chance to return to the Pacific Northwest and work alongside his college coaches made for a perfect fit for Kwiatkowski.
"I am thrilled to join the University of Washington cross country and track & field program," he said. "Maurica and Andy Powell are two of the most electrifying coaches in the country and I feel so fortunate to reunite with them.
"I am so excited to come back to my home state of Washington with its rich talent pool and incredible running opportunities," Kwiatkowski said. "I can't wait to get started."
Kwiatkowski began as a volunteer assistant coach with the Eagles before moving into a full-time assistant coaching role in 2016. Over his six seasons he helped guide American athletes to seven Patriot League titles and four school records.
Maurica and Andy Powell were enthusiastic to get Kwiatkowski wearing purple. "We're thrilled to add Chris to our staff," said the Powells. "He's a tireless recruiter with a great work ethic and deep ties to the state of Washington. Chris is a perceptive coach with great instincts, and it's been exciting to watch him grow both professionally and personally as a mentor to student-athletes. We've known Chris since his own high school days and have complete faith in his integrity and character."
By his senior season in Eugene, Kwiatkowski developed into one of the top 5,000-meter runners in the country, capped off by his first NCAA Outdoor Championships appearance in 2012 where he was 15th in the 5,000-meter final to earn All-America honors. He continued to train and compete as a post-collegiate, qualifying and racing at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
At American, Kwiatkowski assisted Matt Centrowitz, father of his Oregon teammate and friend Matthew Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist at 1,500-meters. Kwiatkowski co-authored the elder Centrowitz's memoir "Like Father, Like Son" published in 2017.
"I want to thank my mentor, Matt Centrowitz, as well as Sean Graham and the administration at American University," said Kwiatkowski. "Without them, I would not be here."
Kwiatkowski attended Bellingham High School where he was the Washington 2A State Champion at 3,200-meters as a senior in 2007. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Oregon in Human Physiology.
Kwiatkowski's hire comes on the heels of the addition of Associate Head Coach Toby Stevenson, who will oversee the jumps and multi-events.
Hailing from Bellingham, Wash., Kwiatkowski earned All-America honors as a senior with the Ducks. While pursuing a post-collegiate running career, he entered into coaching at American in Washington, D.C. where he has spent the past six seasons.
The chance to return to the Pacific Northwest and work alongside his college coaches made for a perfect fit for Kwiatkowski.
"I am thrilled to join the University of Washington cross country and track & field program," he said. "Maurica and Andy Powell are two of the most electrifying coaches in the country and I feel so fortunate to reunite with them.
"I am so excited to come back to my home state of Washington with its rich talent pool and incredible running opportunities," Kwiatkowski said. "I can't wait to get started."
Kwiatkowski began as a volunteer assistant coach with the Eagles before moving into a full-time assistant coaching role in 2016. Over his six seasons he helped guide American athletes to seven Patriot League titles and four school records.
Maurica and Andy Powell were enthusiastic to get Kwiatkowski wearing purple. "We're thrilled to add Chris to our staff," said the Powells. "He's a tireless recruiter with a great work ethic and deep ties to the state of Washington. Chris is a perceptive coach with great instincts, and it's been exciting to watch him grow both professionally and personally as a mentor to student-athletes. We've known Chris since his own high school days and have complete faith in his integrity and character."
By his senior season in Eugene, Kwiatkowski developed into one of the top 5,000-meter runners in the country, capped off by his first NCAA Outdoor Championships appearance in 2012 where he was 15th in the 5,000-meter final to earn All-America honors. He continued to train and compete as a post-collegiate, qualifying and racing at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
At American, Kwiatkowski assisted Matt Centrowitz, father of his Oregon teammate and friend Matthew Centrowitz, the 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist at 1,500-meters. Kwiatkowski co-authored the elder Centrowitz's memoir "Like Father, Like Son" published in 2017.
"I want to thank my mentor, Matt Centrowitz, as well as Sean Graham and the administration at American University," said Kwiatkowski. "Without them, I would not be here."
Kwiatkowski attended Bellingham High School where he was the Washington 2A State Champion at 3,200-meters as a senior in 2007. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Oregon in Human Physiology.
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