Van Auker Tabbed Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year By USTFCCCA
PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher College men's track and field hurdles coach Mike Van Auker was named the Atlantic Region Men's Assistant Coach of the Year by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Van Auker has been instrumental in the development of the men's track and field hurdlers over his six year tenure.
Coach Van Auker's hurdlers combined for 48 total points in the Empire 8 Conference Championship that the Cardinals would go on to win. Van Auker in his sixth year as assistant coach has trained Peter Girardi to be arguably one of the best hurdlers in Division III track and field as the four time All-American has finished as the National Runner-Up twice in his career. This season he coached Girardi to the division-leading time in the 400-meter hurdles (50.95 seconds) and to the number two overall seed in the 110-meter hurdles (14.08 seconds).
The Hilton native also has coached sophomore Eddie Mahana to his first National Competition appearance. Mahana currently sits at 11th overall in the 110-meter hurdles after he posted a 14.45 second time stamp at the Empire 8 Conference Championship at the beginning of May.
Senior Girardi will compete in both the 400 and 110-meter hurdles at the 2018 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships beginning on Thursday and coming to an end on Saturday. Mahana will also compete in the 110-meter hurdles at the National Competition.
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