MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College track and field announced the first of three hirings with the addition of
Ken Ciolek to the program's coaching staff.
"Ken has the experience we need to come in and fill some big shoes," Head Coach Derek Stanley said. "He will not only be coaching the sprints, hurdles and relays event groups but will also but supervising the intern coaches and students workers while coordinating all recruiting activities."
Ciolek brings with him a solid coaching resume, having coached at both the high school and collegiate levels. He spent the last two years as an assistant coach at SUNY-Brockport. During his time with the Golden Eagles, Ciolek guided eight national qualifiers, including three All-America honorees and the 2008 national champion in the indoor triple jump.
In addition to his duties at SUNY-Brockport, he has also served as an assistant coach with the Western New York Roadrunners, a local running club, for the last two years. Ciolek also assisted two different programs at the high school level for five seasons where he coached 16 national qualifiers, including a national champion in the high jump.
"I am very excited at the opportunity to join the track and field staff here at Marietta College," Ciolek said. "Coach Stanley has done a remarkable job building the program and producing quality student-athletes. I look forward to applying my knowledge and experiences and help the program continue to build upon its winning traditions."
Ciolek received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from SUNY-Brockport in 2007. A two-time national qualifier in both the javelin and decathlon, he earned All-America honors in the javelin after finishing second as a senior. During his two years with the Golden Eagles, Ciolek was named All-State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) on eight different occasions. He currently holds the school and conference record in the javelin.
Ciolek began his collegiate career at Buffalo State, where he earned All- New York State Collegiate Track Conference Association (NYSCTCA) honors 10 times. He also held the Buffalo State record in the javelin, decathlon and heptathlon.
"Ken should be a great fit for this program with his experience in D-III track and field. His experience with national caliber athletes will help us keep moving our program closer to a conference championship and national prominence."
Ciolek, who lives in Marietta, has an USATF level II certification with a concentration in jumps, sprints, hurdles and relays.
Marietta, which hosted the 2009 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship, is coming off another solid season in 2008-09. The Pioneer men and women placed sixth and fifth, respectively, at the OAC Outdoor Championship after finishing sixth and fourth, respectively, during the league's indoor championship.
