Cross Country | 5/26/2022 8:01:00 AM

AVE MARIA, Fla. - One of the greatest middle distance runners in American history is joining the Ave Maria University family.

The Ave Maria University athletic department is ecstatic to announce the hiring of Alan Webb as the new head coach of the Ave Maria cross country, track and field, and swimming programs.

"Coach Webb epitomizes excellence," said AMU Director of Athletics Joe Patterson.  "His Catholic faith is inspiring, his coaching credentials are great, and his own competitive successes are impeccable.  During his visit to Ave Maria, he inspired great confidence from all of the key stakeholders.  I'm thrilled that he will be joining the Ave family."

Webb added that he could not be happier to join the Ave Maria community in this role, referring to it as a "dream come true"

"I could not be more excited about becoming the Head Cross Country, Track & Field and Swimming coach at Ave Maria University," Webb said. "It is the answer to my family's prayers to be called to AMU's mission of forming men and women in the intellectual and moral virtues of the Catholic faith."

Webb's credentials as a runner are unimpeachable. Webb is a three-time United States champion in the 1500-meter run, and represented the United States in the event in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. In 2007, he ran the mile in 3:46.91, a mark that still stands as the fastest mile ran by an American runner. He also possesses the mark for fastest mile run from a high schooler, clocking in at 3:53.43 in a 2001 race.

Webb also brings a bevy of NCAA Division I coaching experience to Ave Maria. His coaching stops have included the University of Virginia, Portland State University, and the University of Arkansas Little Rock. He was most recently at Little Rock, where he coached for two seasons as the Associate Head Coach for cross country and an assistant coach for the track program.

On the swimming side, Webb was a successful youth swimmer, as he neared Junior National Qualifying marks in the 400-yard individual medley, the 200-yard individual medley, the 200-yard breaststroke, the 100-yard breaststroke and the 500-yard freestyle events.

Following his retirement from competitive running, Webb became a successful triathlete, ranking in the top 100 in the world in the International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Series in 2015, which included top-ten finishes in events in Tongyeong, South Korea, and Mooloolaba, New Zealand.

"I have no doubt that Coach Webb has the ability to establish AMU as a powerful competitor in swimming," said Patterson.  "He has a passion for the sport that speaks to the commitment he will bring to the program."  Riley Ceglowski, who served as the inaugural head swim coach this past season, will remain on the coaching staff as an assistant.  

"Coach Webb and Coach Ceglowski will be a dynamic pair," Patterson said. "Riley's tremendous efforts this past year created a fantastic foundation."

The cross country coaching staff will include Liz Feger, who has served as the head cross country coach since 2012.  The track and field staff will include Jabo Smith (sprints), Sean Fahey (jumps), and Jarvis McGarrah.  A throws coach will be hired in the coming weeks.

Webb, who will start work on the 2022-23 season immediately, took inspiration from Saint John Paul II in his initial goals for the programs.

"The expectation for myself and the Ave Maria athletes is to answer Saint John Paul II's prayer for us to put the same effort into personal asceticism as we do into sports striving to be 'athletes of the Spirit,'" said Webb.

Prospective student-athletes can fill out an Ave Maria recruiting questionnaire here: https://avemariagyrenes.com/sports/2018/4/10/recruit-forms.aspx