From Emory University Athletics
Emory University Track & Field Head Coach John Curtin and sophomore sprinter Daniel Pietsch were honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) late Wednesday evening. Curtin was named the South/Southeast Region Women’s Coach of the Year and Pietsch was named South/Southeast Region Men’s Athlete of the Year.
Curtin, now in his 31st season with the program, led the Emory women to a no.-1 regional ranking, a third place finish at the UAA Indoor Championships and will oversee five athletes from the women’s squad at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Championships. This is Curtin’s fourth USTFCCCA Indoor Regional Coach of the Year award in his career.
Pietsch becomes just the second Eagle ever to be named an indoor regional Athlete of the Year after a tremendous sophomore season for the Eagles. He set the school record in the 400m Dash several times this season, most recently with the fastest raw time (47.76) recorded in Division III so far this year. With that time, Pietsch claimed the UAA title in the event for the second straight year. He also earned All-UAA honors in the 4x400m Relay and on Tuesday was named All-Region by the USTFCCCA in a team-best three events: 400m Dash, 200m Dash and the 4x400m Relay.
Curtin and Pietsch along with seven other Eagles will compete at this weekend’s NCAA Indoor Championships at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA.