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Yentes Named University of Wyoming Track Coach Jim Sanchez also named head coach of the men's and women's cross country program.
June 19, 2000
LARAMIE, Wyo. - Don Yentes, an assistant in the Wyoming track program for the past three seasons, has been named the program's new head coach, UW Athletics Director Lee Moon announced Tuesday. Yentes replaces Larry Judge who resigned last week. In addition to Yentes, Moon named Jim Sanchez as head coach of the men's and women's cross country program. Moon also said that Dawn Ellerbe will remain on the staff concentrating on the throwing events. All three appointments are subject to University Trustee approval. Yentes came to Wyoming from Eastern Michigan University where he had served as an assistant for three seasons. His focus was on cross country, coaching the Eagles to the 1997 Indoor and Outdoor Championship titles. He also coached the Eagles to their first-ever Michigan Intercollegiate Championship that same year. He earned a B.A. in physical education from North Park College in 1981. He also has a B.A. in human institutions from Judson College. "We feel Larry (Judge) has laid a quality foundation we can build on," Moon said. "With Don we are changing our emphasis somewhat. We are going to concentrate on a more broad-based program. We will still have an emphasis on throws, but we will be focusing more on all events. We are very pleased that Jim is remaining in charge of our cross country program, and it's great to have an Olympic-caliber individual like Dawn staying to work with our throwers. "I think our staff is a good mixture of personalties and knowledge," Moon continued. "I think they work well together and compliment each other. Each understands our focus. We will continue to place an emphasis on the recruitment of outstanding athletes nationwide as well as here in Wyoming. Prior to his stint at Eastern Michigan, Yentes coached track and cross country at Jac-Cen-Del and Oak Hill High Schools in Indiana for five seasons (1982-87), producing a record of 53-1 in cross country and 33-6 in track. He served as an assistant cross country and track coach at Butler County Community College (1987-89), producing 21 All-Americans. He also was head track coach at Neosho County Community College (1989-91) and an assistant coach at Barton County Community College (1991-95). "I am thrilled to receive this opportunity," Yentes said. "There is an excellent support system here giving us the tools necessary to be successful. Larry got the program going in the right direction, and we will build on that. "A key to our success is that our staff is staying," Yentes said. "Jim's record speaks for itself, and Dawn is a highly-respected throws coach whom we are very pleased to have remain with us. Continuity with our student-athletes is a big issue, and the fact that we are all staying is important for them. They know us and we know them, and I believe that will allow us to go forward more quickly." Sanchez will begin his 20th season at the University of Wyoming. During his tenure he has earned the reputation as one of the top distance coaches in the West. Over the past 19 seasons, Sanchez has coached 14 NCAA All-Americans, four UW Hall of Fame Inductees, five Academic Cross Country All-Americans and one Academic All-American Women's Cross Country team. Sanchez earned five Coach of the Year awards while Wyoming was in the Western Athletic Conference. His teams have won conference cross country titles twice, finished second seven times and third eight times. His expertise in altitude training makes him a major attraction at coaching clinics nationally and internationally. He is a 1976 graduate of Adams State College and owns a master's in Exercise Physiology from Adams State in 1982. "Beginning a new season is exciting to me each and every year," Sanchez said. "I am as excited about entering my 20th season here as I was my first. I've always loved being here. I approach each season with great enthusiasm, and I'm looking forward to next year."
Ellerbe is a four-time NCAA Champion and a world record-holder in the 20-pound weight. A 1996 graduate of South Carolina, she was a five-time SEC champion and a six-time All-American. Twice she was named the SEC Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. She currently is the number one hammer thrower in the U.S., and is currently training for the Olympics.
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