Kwiatkowski Joins Washington Staff
July 12, 2018 | Cross Country, Track & Field
SEATTLE β 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.
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Kwiatkowski's hire comes on the heels of the addition of Associate Head Coach Toby Stevenson, who will oversee the jumps and multi-events.
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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.
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The chance to return to the Pacific Northwest and work alongside his college coaches made for a perfect fit for Kwiatkowski.
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"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.
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"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."
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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.
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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.Β We've known Chris since his own high school days and have complete faith in his integrity and character."
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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.
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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.
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"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."
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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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Kwiatkowski's hire comes on the heels of the addition of Associate Head Coach Toby Stevenson, who will oversee the jumps and multi-events.
Β
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.
Β
The chance to return to the Pacific Northwest and work alongside his college coaches made for a perfect fit for Kwiatkowski.
Β
"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.
Β
"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."
Β
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.
Β
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.Β We've known Chris since his own high school days and have complete faith in his integrity and character."
Β
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.
Β
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.
Β
"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."
Β
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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