Pete Julian Resigns as WSU Cross Country Coach

Pete Julian Resigns as WSU Cross Country Coach
Julian will coach with Nike Oregon Project.



Pete Julian



Aug. 27, 2012


PULLMAN -- Washington State University's head coach for cross country and distance coach for the track and field program, Pete Julian, resigned Monday to take a position with the Nike Oregon Project in Portland, Ore.

Julian, 41, joined the WSU staff in 2009 after a highly successful career as a collegiate coach and professional athlete and coach. Julian was promoted to the head coach for WSU cross country in the fall of 2010.

"I have learned more from working for Rick Sloan than any coach I have been involved with," Julian said. "His work ethic has inspired me and made me realize how hard I have to work to be successful."

The Cougar men's cross country team had a break-through season in 2011, advancing to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2006. The Cougar men's team of Andrew Kimpel, Jono Lafler, Justin Englund, Andrew Gonzales, Todd Wakefield, Drew Jordan and Lee George finished 21st. The Cougar men also achieved a fifth-place finish at the prestigious Notre Dame Invitational and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA West Regional meet with Kimpel and Lafler earning USTFCCCA All-Region honors.

Nike's Oregon Project, under the direction of Alberto Salazar, is a group created by athletic shoe company Nike in 2001 to promote American long distance running, using air thinning technology. The runners live and train near Nike's headquarters in Beaverton, Ore.





"This is an exciting opportunity that presents some new challenges for me," Julian said. "We are at a place with the sport of track and field where the direction of the Nike Oregon Project is making a difference."
Courtesy WSU