Mark Covert Receives Prestigious Award

4/2/10

Long time Antelope Valley coach and Southern California Rules Chairman Mark Covert was honored at the California Community College Coaches Association State Awards banquet for his outstanding contributions to the sports of cross country and track and field.

Covert, a fixture on the Southern California running scene for over 40 years, added the prestigious award to his long list of accomplishments that includes his world class running career, numerous coaching accomplishments and a Guinness Book record for the most consecutive days of running.

                                                          Coach Mark Covert proudly display his "Coaching Achievement" award that he received last week.  (photo, courtesy of Dean Lofgren)

Las Vegas Coaches Convention Takes Time to Honors It's Own

12/11/09

The California Community College Cross Country and Track Coaches Association had it's annual convention this past weekend in Las Vegas.  Along with the various meetings that took place, the coaches in attendance took time to honor their own as "Coach of the Year" honors were given for the past cross country and track and field seasons.  Below is the list of honorees along with their accomplishments.

                                                                 Doug Wells gives his acceptance speech at the Coaches' Luncheon.  (photo, courtesy of John Goldman)

Doug Wells, Cerritos College (Men's Track & Field Coach of the Year) - The longtime Cerritos Coach led his men's team to a spectacular season.  After suffering through injuries which caused major setbacks, Cerritos placed 4th at the Southern California Championships.  However, at the State Championships, surprise performances including a victory in the Men's 400 meter relay, a win in the men's 800 and a 1-2 finish in the men's decathlon, allowed the Falcons to  bounce back to place 2nd.

  Riverside's Mike Barbee accepts his award from Mondo's Ron Silver.  (photo, courtesy of Dean Lofgren)

Mike Barbee, Riverside City College (Women's Track & Field Coach of the Year) - Coach Barbee's teams have showed consistent improvement over the last few years.  The 2009 season saw the Lady Tigers place 2nd in the Southern California Championships and then finish 3rd in the State Championships.  Riverside received key performances in the high jump, the javelin, the discus and the steeplechase.

  Percy Knox (left), poses with Antelope Valley Head Coach Mark Covert.  (photo, courtesy of Dean Lofgren)

Percy Knox, Antelope Valley College (Men's Assistant Track & Field Coach of the Year) - One of the most respected coaches in the community college ranks, Coach Knox was instrumental in coaching Ryan Butts to one of the most dominant victories in the long jump in recent memory at the State Championships.

                                          In an emotional moment, Mark Covert accepts the award for the late James Harvey.  (photo, courtesy of John Goldman)

James Harvey, LA Valley College (Women's Assistant Track & Field Coach of the Year) - Coach Harvey, who sadly passed away this year, had a great season with his middle distance runners.  Most notably was the state championship won by Mekka White Edwards.  Long time friend, Mark Covert, accepted the award on his behalf.

                                                      Marco Ochoa of Orange Coast College, receives his Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year award.  (photo, courtesy of John Goldman)

Marco Ochoa, Orange Coast College (Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year) - The Orange Coast women have often times grabbed the spotlight with the Pirates program.  However, this year, the OCC men's team had a spectacular 2009 season.  With victories at the Fresno and Vanguard Invitationals, they went on to win another Orange Empire Conference title.  At the State Championships, the Pirates turned in another solid performance taking 2nd overall.

Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year, Doug Todd, stands with Mt. SAC AD Joe Jennum (left) and fellow Mt. SAC coach, Brian Yokoyama.  (photo, courtesy of Dean Lofgren)

Doug Todd, Mt. SAC (Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year) - Coach Todd did an outstanding job with his team this past season.  The Mounties placed 3rd at the Fresno Invitational, 2nd at the OCC Classic, and 2nd at the Golden West Invitational before winning the South Coast Conference Title.  The Mounties would end their season with a great performance, placing third overall in the State Championships, just missing a 2nd place finish by a mere 12 points.

Coaches and athletes, we do have a photo gallery page on this site.  If you have some great shots that you would like to share of any California Community College cross country or track & field athletes, please email them to jgoldman@cerritos.edu and we will post them!