Mike Peterson returns as head coach of UPEI Cross Country

Charlottetown, PEI (August 8, 2019)—Chris Huggan, of Athletics and Recreation, welcomes Mike Peterson back to the coaching staff of the UPEI Cross Country and UPEI Track and Field teams. Peterson was instrumental in the formation of the cross country team in 2015, but had to step away due to scheduling conflicts. He returns this season to be the head coach for the cross country team and the middle- and long-distance coach for the track and field team.

Peterson has been a running coach at Colonel Gray High School since 2010. Under his leadership, the cross country and track and field teams won 57 of a possible 72 provincial titles. Cross country teams from the Gray have attended the Maine Festival of Champions nine times, with several top-ten finishes (including second place this past year). Many of the runners he has coached over the years have gone on to race at the varsity level.

"I'd like to see the Panther program grow to the point where we are consistently fielding competitive teams on both the men's and women's sides, eventually contending for AUS championships," said Peterson. "Ideally, I'd love to build a solid base by giving home-grown runners the opportunity to stay on the Island and have a quality varsity experience, while adding some off-Island talent whenever possible."  

"I am very pleased Mike will be taking over as the UPEI Cross Country coach," said Colin MacAdam, head coach of the UPEI Track and Field team. "Mike has a great familiarity with cross country and road racing in the Atlantic region and has had a direct impact on most of the runners in the UPEI programs through his fine work with the teams at Colonel Gray High School. The program is in great hands."

"I am excited to have Mike Peterson back at UPEI," said Huggan. "Mike's passion for running, his knowledge of the sport, and his ability to connect with, and invest in, his students has been instrumental in the growth of the sport on Prince Edward Island. I look forward to working with him as we continue to grow both our cross country and track and field programs at UPEI."

Go Panthers Go!

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Media contact: Ron Annear, UPEI
(902) 566-0991, annear@upei.ca