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Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Tom Mittman
Tom Mittman is enjoying his sixth
year of coaching at City High School. He is a graduate of South Eugene High
School (1975), Luther College (1975,BS), University of Oregon Health Sciences
Center (1980, MD), University of Iowa Family Practice (1983) and is currently
a board certified emergency physician at Mercy Hospital. He has always maintained
an interest in coaching and education and returned to the University of Iowa
in 1989 where he completed course work necessary to become certified as a 7-12
science teacher and coach.
He began distance running 34 years ago as a high
school senior at South Eugene High School and has been enjoying running ever
since. He lettered on South Eugene's State Championship team in 1974 and Luther
College's 4th place nationally team in 1976 before becoming an aficionado of
road racing in his post collegiate years running 13 marathons and countless
other races ranging from 800 m to half-marathons.
Since 1997 Tom has been coaching cross country
and track at City High School. He was a volunteer assistant in Cross Country
until he assumed the head coach position in 1999. In the years he has been involved
in the program the number of athletes has increased from 34 to 83. The varsity
squad won the state championship in 1999 and have finished as runner's up the
other four years. He has been honored as regional coach of the year in cross
country in 2001and 2004 and state coach of the year in 1999 and 2003.
Tom considers himself extraordinarily fortunate
to be part of an outstanding track and field program at City High School where
he has served as a volunteer assistant in track for three years prior to assuming
the position of assistant in 2000. He has had the privilege of coaching numerous
fine athletes which have contributed to City High's success.
Nathan Cooper: Sprints &
Relays Coach
Nathan is a 1987 graduate of North Dakota State University where he competed in track & field and earned a degree in Mass Communications.
Nathan was a two time state champion in Minnesota (100m and 200m) his senior season after finishing fourth in both events as a junior. He entered North Dakota State on a four year track and field scholarship. While at NDSU, he was a Drake Relays 4x200 runners-up, conference 4x100 champion, and a National Qualifier in the 4x100 relay. Currently, he works for Accredo Health, Incorporated in Iowa City as a marketing specialist.
Nathan served as a volunteer assistant coach at City High during the 2004 season, and will be entering his first year as a full time assistant coach.
Elaine Rydze: Hurdle Coach
Elaine is in her second year of coaching track & field at City High. In the fall, coach Rydze directs the Coe men's and women's cross country teams and has served as assistant men's and women's track coach as well. A Big Ten track champion and 1977 graduate of Michigan State University, Rydze coached the state runner-up Iowa City Regina High School track team before coming to Coe in 1994.
Kelly Larson: Field Events
Kelly is in her seventh year of coaching track & field at City High. Having volunteered the past several seasons, Kelly is a full assistant this year. Coach Larson coaches the long and high jump as well as helping with the shot put and discus events. Kelly was a heptathlete and Loras College of Dubuque, Iowa and a two-time All-American as a Duhawk.