Your fearless leaders...

Head Coach Dan Petersen: (1998)
(Hurdles) Dan was handed the reins of the Cougar Track program by Darrel Deedon in the fall of 1997. Previously he was head coach of the Cascade Junior High Track team for 3 years. He was also the head coach of the Cascade Cross Country program from 1997-2005 and teaches 6th grade in the Junior HIgh School.
Coach Pete Vandenynde: (1996)
(Throws) Pete joined the staff in 1996 and began rebuilding the throws program, as a volunteer coach. He is a staff member of the nationally renowned Ironwood Throwers Camp in Couer D Alene, Idaho, where he is the director of the Javelin event. He is also a long time volunteer for the Cougar Foundation.

Coach Lanay Creech: (1998)
(Sprints and Relays) Lanay became a member of the staff in 1998 after serving as the sprint and relay coach at Sherwood High (1995-1997), head coach at Kennedy High (1992-1994), and sprint coach at South Albany High(1989-1991). He was a sprinter for Lane CC, Oregon State University track and field team where he earned several awards. He is currently a faculty member at Cascade Junior High School where he teaches social studies and remedial reading. He is also the vice- president of the Vertical Vault Club (VVC) in Oregon.
Coach Mike T. Smith: (2002)
(Distances and Official Team Photographer) Michael T. joined the Cougars after a long career as a teacher at North Salem High, wherehe coached Cross Country and Track. He is an accomplished distance runner having qualified for the Boston Marathon 4 times and has a best time of 2:46.39 at that distance.
He is a legend among Willamette Valley running circles for successfully defending his 36 th place finish in the 1979 Portland Marathon, by finishing 36 th again in 1980. Mike is also a longtime staff member of the famous Steen's Mountain Running Camp.
Coach Paul Wilson: (2006)
(Pole Vault) It wasn't until his kids were in high school that Paul started coaching other vaulters. Before he joined the Cougar staff, in 2006. He coached at Willamette University for 12 years and McNary High School for 11 years. During his career he has coached several national champions in the vault and decathlon. He has coached state champion pole-vaulters at all levels (1A-2A-3A-4A-5A and 6A.) This included the first 4A girls state champion. He is also the founder and president of the Vertical Vault Club (VVC) in Oregon.


 

Support Staff:

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented support staff working to make the Cougar Track and Field program such a success. Listed below are the unsung heroes that contribute to the success of Cougar Track and Field every home meet and throughout the week.