Olympian joins already impressive staff
The George Mason men\'s cross country and track and field teams has added an Olympian to the coaching staff as Juli Henner has been named assistant coach for the program. Henner, a 1996 Olympian in the 1500-meters, comes to Mason from Georgetown where she was an assistant coach to the men\'s and women\'s teams for five years.Henner is a graduate of James Madison University, from which she earned a bachelor\'s degree in political science and a master\'s in sports administration. She ran for the Dukes from 1989 through 1992 and she earned All-American honors at the 1992 NCAA Championships in the 1500-meters. She won a silver medal in that event at the 1993 World University Games and repeated that performance in 1995. She was second at the Olympic Trials in the event in 1996 but an injury she incurred prior to the games hampered her performance in Atlanta.
Henner became the head coach for the women\'s cross country team at James Madison in 1997 and she led the Dukes to a CAA Championship that season. She was also named CAA Coach of the Year. After several years away from coaching, Henner joined the staff at Georgetown, beginning with the 2000-01 season. She helped coach Treniere Clement to a runner-up performance in the 1500-meters at the 2004 NCAA Championships and she coached Chris Lukezic, who was runner-up in that event at the 2005 USA Outdoor Championships.
\"I am extremely pleased that we were able to bring in someone of Juli Henner\'s caliber right away at George Mason,\" said first-year men\'s cross country and track and field coach Andrew Gerard. \"She brings a wealth of experience as a coach and athlete to our men\'s program that will benefit all of the event groups, not just the middle distance and distance runners.
\"Her enthusiasm and energy for helping (Assistant Coach Skeeter) Jackson and me push the program forward has been evident even though she has only been here a few weeks. Being able to retain Skeeter and adding Juli to our staff really completes a great coaching group that should provide our athletes with outstanding coaching and leadership. I am really excited about our staff and this coming year.\"
Mason sent individuals to compete at the Lou Onesty Invitational at Virginia last weekend to start the cross country season. This coming week, the Patriots will compete at the James Madison Invitational on Saturday.