Mitchell leads Zips to elite national status
Tony Bosma
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: Sports
Mitchell's life has centered around track and field. He participated in the sport at Abilene Christian University and coached it at the University of Texas and the University of North Carolina before coming to Akron.
In 2003, Mitchell also was a member of the USA track and field coaching staff for the Pan-American Junior Championships in Barbados.
Senior Mike Meditz came to UA because of Mitchell's reputation as an elite coach of pole vaulting, but the coach had other plans for him. Mitchell saw Meditz's speed and moved him to the 400 and 400 hurdles. Meditz is now the school record-holder in the 400 hurdles.
"Coach knows the core fundamentals of each event," said Meditz. "He is a real student of the (400 hurdles)."
Mitchell coaches both the men's and women's track and field team and oversees the cross country team. His individual coaching events include pole vault, long jump, triple jump, decathlon, heptathlon and hurdles.
"Coach Mitchell is all about our program," said senior thrower Randal Hafner. "He stresses that we focus on individual achievements as well as what's best for our team."
Along with the many individual awards, the team accomplishments have come frequently as well lately.
The UA women are the only MAC squad ever to win the "triple crown," which consists of a cross country, indoor and outdoor track championship all in one year.
The team has found even more success this year, with both the men and women winning the All-Ohio Championships and Northeast Ohio Quad events.
If Mitchell's expectations for the future of the Zips come true, one thing is certain.
He'll need more wall space to hang the plaques.
In 2003, Mitchell also was a member of the USA track and field coaching staff for the Pan-American Junior Championships in Barbados.
Senior Mike Meditz came to UA because of Mitchell's reputation as an elite coach of pole vaulting, but the coach had other plans for him. Mitchell saw Meditz's speed and moved him to the 400 and 400 hurdles. Meditz is now the school record-holder in the 400 hurdles.
"Coach knows the core fundamentals of each event," said Meditz. "He is a real student of the (400 hurdles)."
Mitchell coaches both the men's and women's track and field team and oversees the cross country team. His individual coaching events include pole vault, long jump, triple jump, decathlon, heptathlon and hurdles.
"Coach Mitchell is all about our program," said senior thrower Randal Hafner. "He stresses that we focus on individual achievements as well as what's best for our team."
Along with the many individual awards, the team accomplishments have come frequently as well lately.
The UA women are the only MAC squad ever to win the "triple crown," which consists of a cross country, indoor and outdoor track championship all in one year.
The team has found even more success this year, with both the men and women winning the All-Ohio Championships and Northeast Ohio Quad events.
If Mitchell's expectations for the future of the Zips come true, one thing is certain.
He'll need more wall space to hang the plaques.
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