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Doug Clark is in his ninth year at the University of Kansas as an assistant cross country coach and middle distance/distance coach for the track team. Clark came to KU after six successful seasons as an assistant coach to Stanley Redwine at the University of Tulsa. Clark has worked closely with Redwine throughout his career, also coaching alongside him from 1988-93 at the University of Arkansas. COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS • In Clark's last five seasons at Kansas, the men's cross country team has had four All-Americans; Colby Wissel in 2006 and 2007, Paul Hefferon in 2006 and Benson Chesang in 2004. • Clark's men's cross country teams finished 12th at the 2005 NCAA Championships and 20th at the 2006 NCAA Championships, Kansas' first two top-20 finishes since 1994. The team also had back-to-back third-place showings at the conference level in 2005 and 2006, which were the highest finishes since Kansas placed second in the Big Eight Conference in 1981. The second-place finish at the 2006 NCAA Midwest Regionals matched the team's best effort since the inception of the regional format in 1978. • Clark mentored three consecutive Big 12 Champions from 2004-2006 in Benson Chesang (2004, 2005) and Colby Wissel (2006). • Clark has produced All-Americans in the 1,500 meters (two), Mile (two), 3,000 meters (one), 3,000-meter steeplechase (one), 5,000 meters (two), and distance medley relay (four), as well as an additional nine NCAA qualifiers in cross country and track. His athletes have also set school records in the men's and women's 1,000 meters, women's 1,500 meters, men's 3,000 meters and the men's and women's distance medley relay. • Clark directed Jayhawk alumnus Charlie Gruber to a second-place finish at the 2004 Olympic Trials, earning him a spot on the 2004 USA Olympic Team in the 1,500-meter run. That year, Gruber ran a 3:34.71 (1,500 meters) and 1:46.30 (800 meters), was champion at the USATF 4K Cross Country Championships and finished second at the USATF Indoor Championships in the 1,500-meter run. In 2005, Clark oversaw Paul Hefferon to the title at the USATF Junior Championship and to the silver medal at the Pan American Junior Championships (both in the 5,000-meter run). • While at Tulsa, Clark's teams held school records in the women's 1,000 meters, mile, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, distance medley relay, 4x800-meter relay and 1,500 meters as well as the men's 800 meters, mile, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, 1,500 meters, 3,000-meter steeplechase and distance medley relay. • At UTEP, Clark assisted the Miners to a No. 3 finish in the nation during the 1994 indoor season and national runner-up honors during the 1994 outdoor championships. Clark also coached Jim Svenoy to the 1994 NCAA Championship in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. • While Clark was an assistant coach for Arkansas, the Razorbacks won all nine NCAA Championships in cross country (three), indoor track (three) and outdoor track (three) during the 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94 school years. PROMINENT PUPILS • Colby Wissel (Kansas) - Two-time Cross Country All-American (2006, 2007) - 2007 All-American (3,000 meters) - 2007 Big 12 Champion (3,000 meters) - 2006 Big 12 Cross Country Champion - School-record holder (3,000 meters) • Paul Hefferon (Kansas) - 2006 Cross Country All-American - 2006 All-American (5,000 meters) - 2005 USA Junior Champion (5,000 meters) • Cameron Schwehr (Kansas) - 2006 All-American (1,500 meters) • Benson Chesang (Kansas) - 2004 Cross Country All-American, - Two-time Big 12 Cross Country Champion (2004, 2005) - 2003 Big 12 Champion (10,000 meters) • Mark Menefee (Kansas) - 2003 All-American (5,000 meters) • Katy Eisenmenger (Kansas) - 2002 All-American (Mile) - School-record holder in the 1,500 meters • Charlie Gruber, Kansas - 2004 Olympian, USA Olympic Team (1,500 meters) - Five-time All-American (1,500 meters, Mile, DMR) - School-record holder (1,000 meters) • Andy Tate, Kansas - Two-time All-American (Steeplechase and DMR) -2001 Big 12 Champion (Distance Medley Relay) • Dwight Davis (Tulsa) - 2000 All-American (Mile, 1,500 meters) - School-record holder in the mile (3:59.29) and 1,500 meters • Jim Svenoy (UTEP) - 1994 NCAA Champion (Steeplechase) - 1994 NCAA Runner-up (3,000 meters) - School-record holder in the 3,000 meters (7:51) Clark was an NCAA qualifier in cross country at Central Missouri State University and qualified for the 2000 Olympic Marathon Trials, running 2:17.40. He was the top Masters runner in Oklahoma from 1996-2000 posting times of 14:58/5K, 25:45/8K, and 31:41/10K. |
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