Oct. 31, 2012
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Alan Turner, sprints and hurdles coach for the University of Notre Dame track and field program has been promoted to associate head coach, it was announced recently by men’s and women’s track and field head coach Joe Piane.
“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Alan to associate head coach,” said Piane. “Alan is respected nationally for his coaching abilities and has a proven record of sending student-athletes to nationals.”
Turner, who came to Notre Dame in September of 2010 from Southern Illinois, is entering his third season with the Irish track and field program.
In two seasons, Turner has made an immediate impact at Notre Dame. He has tutored seven Big East champions, 24 All-Big East performances and nine NCAA Outdoor Championships qualifiers. His athletes have broken eight school records.
2012 was a brilliant season for the Notre Dame sprinters and hurdlers, as three individuals won Big East crowns; Nevada Sorenson 60H, Patrick Feeney 400m indoors, Christopher Giesting 200m and 400m outdoors, while the women’s 4x100m relay team also claimed the Big East title. His athletes also set seven Notre Dame school records in 2012 – Indoors: Kaila Barber, 60H – 8.27, Patrick Feeney, 400m – 46.55, Chris Giesting, 500m – 1:01.28, Women’s DMR: Natalie Geiger 400 leg – 11:04.45, Men’s DMR: Giesting 400 leg – 9:35.48. Outdoors: Giesting, 400m – 46.03, Men’s 4x400m relay – 3:06.20.
Freshman Christopher Giesting was named Big East Men’s Outstanding Track Performer after winning the 200m and 400m at the 2012 outdoor championship. He also ran the fastest 400m leg on the NCAA Distance Medley Relay team that won the NCAA Indoor title. Freshman Kaila Barber earned a bronze medal at the IAAF World Junior Track & Field Championships in the 400H.
In his first season, Turner coached freshman Patrick Feeney to a sweep of the BIG EAST 400-meter titles at the BIG EAST Indoor & Outdoor Championships. Feeney also was part of the All-American and Notre Dame record holding distance medley relay that finished fourth at the NCAA Indoor Championships in 9:30.16. Feeney finished 16th in the 400-meters at the NCAA East Regional. Also at the East Regional were sophomore Nevada Sorenson (100H) and freshmen Michelle Brown (400m) and Megan Yanik (400H).
The Irish track and field team kicks off its 2012-13 season in just over a month as it gets set to host the annual Blue & Gold Invitational at 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Loftus Sports Complex.
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