(Gilbert, AZ) Interim Director of Athletics Angelique Claussen has announced the promotion of Curtis King to head coach of the Buccaneers Cross Country and Track programs after previous head coach Adam Meyer accepted a position at UNLV to helm the Rebels Cross Country program.
“I am pleased to have a coach of Curtis’ caliber to move into the position on such short notice,” said Claussen. “Curtis knows the team which will make this a smooth transition into the start of the season.”
King joined the program last year as sprints and jumps coach. Owen Olney became the first Park Gilbert athlete to qualify for the NAIA National Championships in the high jump under King’s mentorship. He also helped improve the times of all the Buc sprinters and guided Dylan Hukill to wins in the 100 and 200 meters at the 2023 Cal Pac Track and Field Championships. The Buccaneers took four of the top five spots in the 100 and three of the top five spots in the 200.
King was a strength and speed coach at Athlete Performance Enhancement for almost three years where he created tailored performance programs for athletes of all ages from youth through the collegiate level. He created speed programs to help athletes with their speed mechanics.
King also worked at American Leadership Academy in Gilbert, Ariz., as an assistant track and field coach where he helped the Eagles relay team to back-to-back state championships. In addition, he guided the school high jump and long jump record holders as well as three of the fastest sprinters in school history.
From 2017 through 2020. King was the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the track and field program at South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Ariz.
King graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2011 where he ran track for the Lighting while obtaining his BS in Exercise Science. He was a Dean’s List member academically as well as a conference athlete of the week honoree and regional semifinalist on the track.
King would go on to receive a master’s in business administrations from Northcentral University in Scottsdale, Ariz. and is currently working on his doctorate in Kinesiology from Concordia University-St. Paul.
King holds certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, USATF (Certified Level I Track and Field Coach), and USAW (Certified Level I Weightlifting Coach).
Press Release courtesy of Park University Athletics – Preston English
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