For more than a decade, Maurica and Andy Powell helped build Oregon into a national track and field and cross-country power, working as assistant coaches for the men and women distance runners for 13 years.
Now, in their second season as head coaches of the Washington cross-country and track programs, they are looking to build teams that will annually compete for national titles. With the help of a daughter of a Boston Marathon winner, they are on the right track.
Last year, the UW women were ninth at the NCAA championships, and the men sixth. The Husky women, led by senior Katie Rainsberger, who transferred to UW when the Powells came to UW, will look for an even better finish in Saturday’s NCAA championships in Terre Haute, Ind.