Andrews, Gallagher Named Assistant Track Coaches
9/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Track and Field
Its great to have two Kent State alumni on staff. They have extraordinary credentials and really left their marks on the Kent State track and field programs when they competed. I am glad that they have the opportunity to reconnect with the Kent State family, said McRaven.
Andrews, a 2002 Kent State graduate, will work with the hurdlers and the sprinters. He returns to KSU after spending the previous two seasons at the University at Buffalo where he worked with hurdlers. Previous to his time at Buffalo, the Bulls never had a Mid-American Conference (MAC) finalist in any hurdling event. During his two seasons, six hurdlers advanced to the MAC finals, culminating with Brian Heim claiming gold in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2004 MAC Outdoor Championships.
Its great to be back, it really completes the circle for me, Andrews said. I just want to give these kids a successful atmosphere where we can accomplish our goals.
Andrews was one of the most prolific hurdlers in school history during his three seasons as a Golden Flashes. He was a four-time MAC champion and is the Kent State and MAC record holder in the 60-meter hurdles (7.72). At the 2000 NCAA Indoor Championships, he placed fifth in the 60-meter hurdles earning All-America honors. Andrews also holds the school record in the 110-meter hurdles (13.79), is second in the 55-meter hurdles (7.31) and recently competed in the United State Olympic Team Trials in the 110-meter hurdles finishing 19th.
Gallagher, who will work with pole vaulters, high jumpers and multis, returns to Kent State from Jonesboro, Ark., where for the past two years she worked for A Touch Above Therapeutic & Sports Massage in Jonesboro, Ark. While working there she also trained for the 2004 Olympic Team Trials in the pole vault.
This is home for me, its always good to come back. I just want to give our current athletes the opportunity to succeed, Gallagher said.
Gallagher owns the distinction of being the first MAC female athlete to win individual conference championships in different sports (track and field and gymnastics) and participate at two different NCAA Championships. Gallagher won the indoor pole vault at the 1998 MAC Indoor Championships. while placing 10th in the first-ever womens pole vault competition at the NCAA Championships (11-7.75). She currently ranks second on the all-time KSU list in the indoor (12-1.5) and outdoor pole vault (12-1.5).
After graduating from Kent State in 1999, Gallagher competed in the 2000 Olympic Trials finishing 10th before returning to Kent State as an assistant coach for the 2000-01 season, working with the jumpers. In 2001 she joined the Indiana Invaders Professional Track & Field team as an administrative assistant for two years while also competing in the pole vault. While with the Indiana Invaders Gallagher helped with the development of youth programs, meet schedules and other administrative tasks.
