Anita Campbell returns to UW as newest track/cross country assistant coach...

The University of Washington announced the hiring of alum Anita Campbell (left/photo by Paul Merca) as an assistant track & field and cross country coach, according to a release from the school Monday.

Campbell, a 2010 graduate, competed at the NCAA cross country championships her first two years as an individual, then earned All-America honors in the 2007 season as part of the team that finished eighth before the team broke through in that magical 2008 season and won the national title.

“I am thrilled to bring Anita Campbell back into our program,” said Husky head track & field/cross country coach Greg Metcalf. “Anita helped set a standard of excellence at Washington, and the program improved every year she was on our campus. As a member of our 2008 national championship team she brings instant credibility. In her own words this is a dream job for Anita. She shares the same goals I do for our program; she wants to be a part of another NCAA title and help to build the next generation of Husky distance runners.”

Campbell was the 2009 Pac-10 champion at 10,000-meters, and went on to finish third at the 2009 NCAA outdoor championships to earn All-America honors on the track. She made the NCAA outdoor meet all four years, and scored a total of 30 points at the Pac-10 track & field championships. She ranks in the UW top-10 in five events and was the indoor school record-holder in the 5,000-meters for three years.

Campbell will be inducted into the Husky Hall of Fame in October along with the other members of the 2008 national championship cross country team.

Campbell, a native of Vancouver, B.C., also competed for her country at the 2006 IAAF world cross country championships in Fukuoka, Japan in the junior women's race.

She replaces Lauren Denfeld, who chose to pursue opportunities outside of coaching after four years at Washington.


NOTE:  The University of Washington sports information office contributed to this report.

Comments

Long Distance06 said…
Congrats Anita and Huskies