Lutheran West is excited to welcome Anjanette Arabian Whitman as the school's new track and field coach. Joel Gesch, Lutheran West Athletic Director states," We are pleased that Anjanette will be joining our coaching staff as Head Track Coach. I have been impressed by her passion to work with young people as a coach and mentor, and I believe her presence here will be a blessing to our student-athletes on many levels. She brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of success to Lutheran West. Her enthusiasm is definitely contagious; she is excited to get going!"
Anjanette Arabian Whitman comes to Lutheran West with a wealth of knowledge and abilities not only as a track and field coach but in many other aspects of life. Mrs. Whitman, who more commonly is referred to as "Coach Anj" in the athletic world, has a proven record of coaching success. She began her competitive running career while in seventh grade in the Rocky River Schools and eventually earned State Championship honors in the 1600m her senior year at Rocky River High School. She furthered her academic and athletic career at the University of Virginia. Anjanette served as captain of both the cross country team and track and field team, helping to lead the cross country team to the NCAA Championship meet in 1993.
As a coach, Anjanette has assisted hundreds of high school students achieve success at every level, from beginners through the most experienced athletes. Her teams have earned four State Championship team titles, produced countless individual State qualifiers, and competed on the national level. Over the past decade, Anjanette has assisted 23 student athletes to become NCAA Division I competitors. A remarkable characteristic of Anjanette is her ability to mentor beginner athletes in a manner that allows many of them to compete at high levels including State titles, and subsequently engage in competitive college athletic opportunities.
Beyond Anjanette's abilities as a coach, she brings a focus to developing the student athlete as a whole person. Anjanette aligns her coaching philosophy with all six tenets of "The Lutheran West Promise" which include Christian principles, rigorous academics, nurturing community, servant leadership, challenging opportunities, as well as a focus on life purpose and vocation. Dale Wolfgram, Lutheran West Principal, states, "We are excited to have a committed Christian who strives for excellence in leading. Her proven track record is built on values of hard work and personal responsibility that we model in all of our programs."
Anjanette's professional profile includes an undergraduate degree in American Government from the University of Virginia and a joint J.D. and Masters of Public Administration awarded through Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Anjanette has given back to the local community by serving as an elected member of City Council in Rocky River. She has also served on numerous boards focused on community advancement, especially involving youth. Her dedication to young people was highlighted when she was appointed by the governor to serve as a Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court Judge after practicing as an attorney in the juvenile justice system for eleven years, serving as an advocate for abused and neglected children. Currently, Anjanette is the trial magistrate for the Honorable Judge Janet Rath Colaluca at the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court.
Learn more about Lutheran West and its academic and athletic programs at the Open House to be held on Tuesday, October 29th 7-9 pm.