champaign, illinois – Sarah Havemanhas been the Illinois long-distance runner coach since 2017 and has been the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross-country programs since 2020. I will return in the same position. Petros CyprianouDirector of Athletics Josh Whitman Announced on Tuesday. Additionally, Whitman announced that Haveman’s contract, which is currently set to expire in August 2023, has been extended and her new contract will be subject to Board approval at its September meeting.
“I am truly grateful for Sarah’s dedication and loyalty to our program and to our student-athletes,” Whitman said. A student-centered approach is appreciated and we are excited about her collaboration with Petros, many years ahead.”
Haveman has been part of the cross-country coaching staff since the 2017 season. In her first year as head coach of her program, she led the women’s team to her 4th place in her NCAA Midwest her regional, her best since 2009. The first in the school’s history and since 2006.
Haveman has also coached long-distance runners during the track and field season, and is particularly well-known throughout the United States. John DavisShe coached him to the fastest mile in program history in 2019, the under-4-minute mile (3:58.06). Davis is one of the most awarded runners in the Illini program. The five-time All-American owns two school records. Indoor he mile (3:58.06) and he clocked 3000 m (7:49.92), making him the 498th American to run the mile under four minutes. He was his 2018 Illinois Freshman and was awarded the UTSFCCCA Midwest Regional Indoor Athlete of the Year. Most recently, last summer, he placed second in his 1500 m at the 2022 U.S. Athletics Championships.
Also in 2019, he coached the long distance medley relay (DMR) team of Joe Haight, Dennis O’Callaghan, Jesse Reiser and Davis to the National Championships. This team set his fastest DMR time in school history (9:29.19) at the Alex Wilson Invitational.
“Sara will be a great asset to the team now and in the future as she has felt essential moving forward, especially in the first year of restructuring the staff and roster.” With invaluable experience in both and cross country, he is a competitive coach that fits our culture and will help build a championship-challenging team as we move forward.Speaking with Sarah, I Our hearts are united and we felt her energy was in place. Expanding into this new Illini era of track and cross-country.In the fall she will lead both male and female cross-country crews. I can’t wait to support and help you.
Another notable outcome of Haveman’s coaching was Olivia HowellHowell is a two-time All-American and two-time University of Illinois Women’s Athlete of the Year. She won the mile in her 2022 Big Ten Indoor Championship and in her 2022 Big Ten Outdoor Championship she won the 1500 m. She also holds school records for the indoor 1000m (2:46.52), indoor mile (4:33.75) and outdoor 1500m (4:09.71).
“The University of Illinois student-athletes are very important to me,” Haveman said. “We are grateful to continue to guide them through this new and exciting era. We look forward to working with Coach Kyprianou to build a championship program that the Illini, present, future and past, can be proud of.” increase.”
Details of Haveman’s contract extension are currently being finalized. This extension must be approved at the UI Board’s next meeting.
