E-mail this pageMeet the Cross Country Staff
John Lynch, Head Coach
John Lynch, a former track and cross country standout at Cortland State, was named Plattsburgh State men's and women's cross country coach in August 2005. In addition, he also serves as a men's and women's track and field assistant coach for the Cardinals, working with middle distance and distance runners.
"We are excited to have John joining the coaching staff at Plattsburgh. John brings a great deal of experience and enthusiasm to the position. He has been fortunate to work with the legendary cross country coach, Jack Daniels, and has competed at both the NCAA Division I and III levels," Athletic Director Bruce Delventhal said at the time of his hiring. "I was immediately impressed with John's knowledge of the sport, but even more so with his concern for the student-athlete. He cares first and foremost about the academic growth and social development of his athletes."
In 2006, Lynch guided the Cardinal women's cross country team to its first appearance in the NCAA Championships in eight years, finishing 29th in the nation and All-American Toni Wiszowaty set a career-best with her fourth-place showing. The men's and women's teams combined for six invitational wins.
In his first season at the helm, Lynch piloted the Cardinals to championships in six men's and women's invitationals, coached All-Americans and Atlantic Region champions Matt DeShane and Allison Busby, and saw both teams improve their standings at the State University of New York Athletic Conference Championships and NCAA regional meet from the previous year.
A certified personal trainer by the National Federation of Professional Trainers, Lynch has coached 11 NCAA All-Americans, 19 national qualifiers, 35 all-conference honorees and 11 league champions in cross country and track. This year, he earned endorsement as a Level 1 coach by USA Track and Field.
A native of Clifton Park, N.Y, Lynch received a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and sport studies from Cortland in 2005. He was an accomplished distance runner for the Red Dragons' track squad, setting school records in the distance medley relay and 1200 meters while participating on several indoor and outdoor SUNYAC championship teams.
Click here for Coach Lynch's Webpage
Contact Information
For more information about Cross Country at Plattsburgh State, please contact:
Head Coach: John Lynch
Phone: (518) 564-4145
E-mail: john.lynch@plattsburgh.edu