(Story courtesy of St. Thomas Sports Information Department)
HOUSTON, Texas -- The University of St. Thomas has promoted Ryan Dohner to the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. Dohner has been the Head Men's and Women's Cross Country Coach for the past four years prior to his promotion. Jarrick Wright will also join UST as the Track & Field Assistant Coach. Wright is already well-accustomed with the Celts program as he started the season as the Volunteer Assistant.
Dohner, who developed the Cross Country teams, will now gain leadership over the Track & Field Program in their inaugural season. The Cross Country program has already made huge leaps of improvement with Dohner at the helm. The Women's team won the UST Celt Invite and grabbed third place in the SCAC Championships in just their third year. Dohner is no stranger to Track & Field as he enjoyed a successful collegiate career at the University of Texas, where he competed on both the cross country and track and field teams. In his career, he tabbed All-American honors for both sports.
"The opportunity to step up as the Director or Track and Field is an amazing opportunity that I look forward to taking on as Coach Heins moves towards another substantial role in the coaching world" Dohner said. "As a young track and field program we still have an enormous amount of growth to achieve, but thankfully we have a great University to build this team upon. I am excited to work with Coach Wright to build a program that will last many years down the line."
Jarrick Wright will assist Dohner in leading the Track & Field program. Wright will have an emphasis on short distance and field events for the Celts. Wright will offer an abundance of knowledge and expertise as he came to UST with a wealth of experience as a Division I NCAA Regional Qualifier in sprints. "I'm extremely thankful and excited for this opportunity" Wright said. "I'm ready to get to work and continue to grow this track program. I believe UST Track & Field has tremendous potential."
"In his first three years, Ryan has done a very good job building and laying the foundation for a successful NCAA Division III Cross Country program" Athletic Director Todd Smith said. "He is more than ready to take over the reins of our Track & Field teams too. He and Coach Wright make a terrific team and will continue to grow and lead both programs."
The Track & Field program will kick off its inaugural season March 5th and 6th at the Trinity Invitational.
