Chris Solinsky to Coach Distance Runners at Florida

By Adam Kopet, DyeStat Editor

After three years coaching at William and Mary, standout distance runner Chris Solinsky has been added to the coaching staff at Florida as an assistant coach, according to a Florida news release.

Solinsky first made a name for himself as a high school and collegiate athlete in Wisconsin. He won five NCAA titles and helped the Wisconsin Badgers to the 2005 NCAA Cross Country Championships and the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships.

As a professional athlete, Solinsky was the #2 American all-time in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. He is one of six athletes, and the only American, who has run under 3:36 for 1,500 meters, 12:56 for 5,000 meters and 27:00 for 10,000 meters.

In 2010, Solinsky became the first non-African born athlete to run under 27 minutes. His 26:59.60 was an American record.

Solinsky began his coaching career at the University of Portland, where he was a volunteer coach for three years while he continued to run professionally.

For the past three years Solinsky has coached at William and Mary. He was promoted to head men's cross country coach for the 2016 season. He was named the 2016 Colonial Athletic Association Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year after guiding the Tribe to their 17th consecutive team title.

Solinsky also guided six athletes (all women) to All-America performances in his tenure at William and Mary.

At Florida, Solinsky will coach the distance runners. The Gators are two-time reigning NCAA Outdoor champions, however, their only points in an event 800 meters or longer came from senior Andres Arroyo with his fifth place finish in the 800 last month.