FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WORCESTER, Mass. – Assumption Director of Athletics Nick Smith is pleased to announce the hiring of Trent Baltzell as the head coach of the Assumption men's and women's cross country and track & field program.
"I'm excited Trent Baltzell will continue his career with us as the head coach of our cross country & track program," said Smith. "During his two years as an assistant, Trent proved to be an outstanding coach and mentor with an impressive work ethic. With his intimate knowledge of the program, I'm confident he will help our student-athletics continue to grow and excel in all areas."
Over the past two years at Assumption as an assistant coach, Baltzell has helped the Hounds reach new heights while working primarily with the program's jumpers, throwers and multi-event athletes.
This past year the men's and women's programs recorded program-best finishes in both the NE10 Indoor and Outdoor Championships, highlighted by a sixth place finish for the men in outdoor while the women took third in outdoor. Both teams had more student-athletes score points than in any previous NE10 Championships, showcasing the program's depth of talent.
"I am beyond excited to continue my coaching career at Assumption College as the head coach of men's and women's cross country and track & field," said Baltzell. "I've had the pleasure to serve in a supporting role to Stacie Wentz for the past two years and through this process, I've seen the program grow in so many ways. I'm very thankful to athletic director Nick Smith and the rest of the administration for this opportunity and for believing this program will prosper under my staff's leadership. I am excited to get started and will work tirelessly to ensure that we reach our current goals and then set them even higher."
Individually, Baltzell oversaw 11 women's school records fall and four more on the men's side amongst jumpers, throwers and multi-event athletes this past season. Baltzell coached Abby Jones to a pair of USTFCCCA All-Region performances and also an NCAA provisional qualifying status in the heptathlon. On the men's side three athletes earned USTFCCA All-Region honors in both indoor and outdoor, in Dillon Bruso, Alex Cerbo & Kevin Hack. Just a freshman, Hack was also named the NE10 Indoor and Outdoor Field Rookie of the Year after winning the NE10 Championship in the high jump during both meets.
In his first season, Baltzell coached multiple USTFCCCA All-Region honorees, including Jones who concluded the 2015-16 year by earning NE10 Outdoor Field Rookie of the Year honors. He also coached Megan Perrin to an All-Region performance and a spot in the NCAA Championships where she placed 21st overall in the javelin.
Baltzell is a 2014 graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. A two-year captain in both indoor and outdoor track, he is the URI school-record holder in the decathlon with 7,075 points.
He was a two-time Atlantic-10 Conference decathlon champion, also set the New England Championship record in the heptathlon with 5,226 points in 2013. He claimed four overall Atlantic-10 titles in his career (two each indoor and outdoor track), as well as capturing the New England outdoor high jump title in 2011. Baltzell also helped his team earn the New England Outdoor Team Championship in 2012.
Information for this release provided by the athletic communications staff at Assumption
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
