
Ninow Named To Lead Husky Throwers
July 25, 2018 | Track & Field
SEATTLE – Washington Track & Field has a new leader for its student-athletes in the throwing events, as Director of Track & Field Maurica Powell and Head Coach Andy Powell have chosen Andrew Ninow to take the assistant coaching reins. Ninow has produced All-Americans on a year-in, year-out basis in his previous stops at Kentucky and Stanford and will look to bring that level of excellence and consistency to the Huskies.
"Andrew Ninow is a tremendous addition to our staff," said Head Coach Andy Powell. "He has a proven record of success across the throwing events, boasting NCAA scorers in the javelin, discus, shot put, and indoor weight throw. He is a thoughtful and dynamic coach who is respected throughout the country, and we can't wait to get him on campus with our student-athletes this fall."
Seattle will be the third stop in the Pac-12 for Ninow, who competed at UCLA for legendary throws coach Art Venegas. He moved quickly up the coaching ranks, spending four successful seasons at Stanford where his athletes won four Pac-12 titles and had a trio of top-three NCAA Outdoor finishes. Ninow then moved to Kentucky where he mentored Wildcats to nine First Team All-America honors over a six-year tenure, including coaching future U.S. Olympian Andrew Evans.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to work under the leadership of Maurica and Andy Powell here at the University of Washington," said Ninow. "The Powells have assembled a formidable staff to execute their vision for the next chapter of Husky Track and Field and continue the UW tradition of athletic and academic excellence."
Ninow had an NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifier every year at UK and Stanford, and nine out of ten years he had multiple athletes at the meet. In eight of ten years, Ninow had at least one athlete score at NCAAs to earn First Team All-America honors.
His success has come across all event areas, with NCAA qualifiers in all four events outdoors as well as both indoor events. At Kentucky his athletes broke seven school records, two freshman records, and put 40 marks into the UK Top-10.
"I would like to thank Coach Edrick Floreal for hiring me as a young coach back at Stanford over ten years ago," Ninow said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have been mentored and shaped by such a world-class coach. I would also like to thank the University of Kentucky administration and student-athletes for their support and dedication for the past six years. I will always value my experience at UK, and I wish them the best of luck in the future."
Ninow was named the Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year award by the USTFCCCA in 2014. He also served as the throws coach for the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2015 NACAC Championships.
Andrew will be joined in Seattle by his wife, Kristen Ninow, also a UCLA graduate, and their two children, a daughter Addison, and Beau, their son.
What stood out to Ninow about Washington was "a unique combination of world-class academics, strong traditions, and impressive facilities amidst the energetic Seattle skyline. This distinct atmosphere, paired with the talented athletes here at Washington, all under the Powells' leadership make for an exciting and promising future for UW Track and Field. Go Huskies!"

Ninow Notes
- In his final season at Kentucky this past spring, Ninow had two men finish top-20 at NCAA Outdoors in the shot put along with one in the discus, plus a First Team All-American in the javelin as Elijah Marta placed sixth with a PR at NCAAs of 232-4.
- Other notable athletes for Ninow at Kentucky included Ray Dykstra, who finished in the top-five at NCAAs in the javelin for three straight years, led by a runner-up finish in 2014. Beckie Famurewa earned First Team All-America honors in two different events, taking seventh in the discus in 2015 and then seventh in the indoor weight throw in 2016. Ninow also coached Brad Szypka to two-straight fifth-place finishes at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the shot put in 2014 and 2015.
- At Stanford, Ninow had the NCAA women's javelin runner-up in back-to-back years with two different athletes. In 2011 it was Eda Karesin taking second and in 2012 in his final year at Stanford he coached Brianna Bain to a school record and NCAA runner-up finish as she tossed 180-2. Ninow also coached Daniel Schaerer to bronze in the NCAA discus final in 2009, while Geoffrey Tabor was ninth in the discus in 2012 and Jaynie Goodbody was ninth in the women's hammer at 2010 NCAAs. Carter Wells also captured an MPSF title in the weight throw for the Cardinal in 2010.
- Ninow began his coaching career at the University of San Francisco in 2008 after completing his collegiate career in 2007. At UCLA, he was a Pac-10 scorer and Regional qualifier in the hammer throw with a personal-best of 207-4. He earned his Bachelor's in Biochemsitry.
"Andrew Ninow is a tremendous addition to our staff," said Head Coach Andy Powell. "He has a proven record of success across the throwing events, boasting NCAA scorers in the javelin, discus, shot put, and indoor weight throw. He is a thoughtful and dynamic coach who is respected throughout the country, and we can't wait to get him on campus with our student-athletes this fall."
Seattle will be the third stop in the Pac-12 for Ninow, who competed at UCLA for legendary throws coach Art Venegas. He moved quickly up the coaching ranks, spending four successful seasons at Stanford where his athletes won four Pac-12 titles and had a trio of top-three NCAA Outdoor finishes. Ninow then moved to Kentucky where he mentored Wildcats to nine First Team All-America honors over a six-year tenure, including coaching future U.S. Olympian Andrew Evans.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to work under the leadership of Maurica and Andy Powell here at the University of Washington," said Ninow. "The Powells have assembled a formidable staff to execute their vision for the next chapter of Husky Track and Field and continue the UW tradition of athletic and academic excellence."
Ninow had an NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifier every year at UK and Stanford, and nine out of ten years he had multiple athletes at the meet. In eight of ten years, Ninow had at least one athlete score at NCAAs to earn First Team All-America honors.
His success has come across all event areas, with NCAA qualifiers in all four events outdoors as well as both indoor events. At Kentucky his athletes broke seven school records, two freshman records, and put 40 marks into the UK Top-10.
"I would like to thank Coach Edrick Floreal for hiring me as a young coach back at Stanford over ten years ago," Ninow said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have been mentored and shaped by such a world-class coach. I would also like to thank the University of Kentucky administration and student-athletes for their support and dedication for the past six years. I will always value my experience at UK, and I wish them the best of luck in the future."
Ninow was named the Southeast Region Assistant Coach of the Year award by the USTFCCCA in 2014. He also served as the throws coach for the U.S. Men's National Team at the 2015 NACAC Championships.
Andrew will be joined in Seattle by his wife, Kristen Ninow, also a UCLA graduate, and their two children, a daughter Addison, and Beau, their son.
What stood out to Ninow about Washington was "a unique combination of world-class academics, strong traditions, and impressive facilities amidst the energetic Seattle skyline. This distinct atmosphere, paired with the talented athletes here at Washington, all under the Powells' leadership make for an exciting and promising future for UW Track and Field. Go Huskies!"
Ninow Notes
- In his final season at Kentucky this past spring, Ninow had two men finish top-20 at NCAA Outdoors in the shot put along with one in the discus, plus a First Team All-American in the javelin as Elijah Marta placed sixth with a PR at NCAAs of 232-4.
- Other notable athletes for Ninow at Kentucky included Ray Dykstra, who finished in the top-five at NCAAs in the javelin for three straight years, led by a runner-up finish in 2014. Beckie Famurewa earned First Team All-America honors in two different events, taking seventh in the discus in 2015 and then seventh in the indoor weight throw in 2016. Ninow also coached Brad Szypka to two-straight fifth-place finishes at the NCAA Indoor Championships in the shot put in 2014 and 2015.
- At Stanford, Ninow had the NCAA women's javelin runner-up in back-to-back years with two different athletes. In 2011 it was Eda Karesin taking second and in 2012 in his final year at Stanford he coached Brianna Bain to a school record and NCAA runner-up finish as she tossed 180-2. Ninow also coached Daniel Schaerer to bronze in the NCAA discus final in 2009, while Geoffrey Tabor was ninth in the discus in 2012 and Jaynie Goodbody was ninth in the women's hammer at 2010 NCAAs. Carter Wells also captured an MPSF title in the weight throw for the Cardinal in 2010.
- Ninow began his coaching career at the University of San Francisco in 2008 after completing his collegiate career in 2007. At UCLA, he was a Pac-10 scorer and Regional qualifier in the hammer throw with a personal-best of 207-4. He earned his Bachelor's in Biochemsitry.
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