Mason Cathey, who specializes in coaching distance and middle distance runners, joined the UCF staff in July 2007 after serving as an assistant coach at Duke University last year.
Cathey helped guide the Blue Devils to a 10th place finish at the 2006 NCAA Cross Country Championships and a 12th place finish at the 2007 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. Eight of her student-athletes received All-America honors and two qualified for the 2007 Pan-American Games, while Shannon Rowbury won the NCAA title in the indoor mile in 2007.
In addition to her experience at Duke, Cathey completed an internship at USATF during the summer of 2006 and worked as track and field and cross country coach at Buchholz High School in Gainesville, Fla., guiding the team a state championship in 2005. She was also a graduate assistant at the University of Florida, teaching sports and fitness classes.
A four-year member of the UF cross country and track and field teams, Cathey helped the Gators win the Southeastern Conference Track and Field Championship during her final three seasons. She also traveled to Europe with the USATF Junior National Team in 2001.
Cathey received a bachelor[apos]s degree in exercise and sports science and a master[apos]s degree in applied physiology and kinesiology from UF. She is a USATF Level II certified coach.
[quote]Having trained and worked with some of the top coaches in the country, Mason brings tremendous experience in middle distance and distance running to the UCF programs,[quote] said UCF head coach Caryl Smith Gilbert. [quote]Her relationships with the Florida running community will also be a great asset as we move ahead with our recruiting.[quote]
7/31/07