Coaching changes continue across Penn sports, with the latest announcements coming from men’s and women’s track and field.
Head women’s coach, Gwen Harris, stepped down Tuesday after 10 seasons at the helm to pursue other opportunities.
In each of her 10 seasons, she has had at least one athlete reach the NCAA Championships, and six of those athletes have earned All-America honors. Under her guidance, Penn athletes have turned in 191 top-10 marks and established 73 school records since 2003. In league competition, the Quakers have won 19 individual Heptagonal titles.
To her athletes, however, Harris’ impact should be measured by more than statistics.
“Gwen Harris was not just our coach, but a believer and avid supporter of each and every one of us, on and off the track,” said rising senior standout Leslie Kovach. “She taught us all the privilege of being an athlete at Penn, and the importance of putting our hearts into everything we strive to achieve.”
On the men’s side, Robin Martin, who took over as the interim head coach in December after former head Charlie Powell retired, has been officially named head coach. Martin has been on the Quaker staff as an assistant coach for the last four seasons.
“Robin’s been a great motivator for the middle distance program and for me personally. When he stepped up last January, he turned what could have been a really tough situation into a nearly seamless transition. I’m really excited for the talent he’s going to bring in as our new head coach,” said rising senior Matt Chylak, a middle distance runner.
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