Track coach hired

Long Beach State cross country and track and field head coach Andy Sythe got some much needed help when he hired assistant coach Dana Colligan Gutierrez last week.

Colligan Gutierrez was the head coach at the University of Texas, Pan American for the past two seasons, coaching both the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs.

Her coaching career began in 1993 as a volunteer assistant coach at Maryland for both the cross country and track and field teams. She then moved on to coach at Northern Arizona and later at Butler.

"We're very pleased to have found someone with the depth of experience that Dana has," said Sythe. "With seven years of collegiate men's and women's cross country experience, her knowledge, success and expertise will greatly complement our program."

Sythe said he expects Gutierrez to start as soon as she is able to depart from UT-Pan American, which may be around July 7. "We will begin right away working on all the necessary preparations for cross country as soon as she starts," Sythe said.

The first practice will be on August 17, Sythe said, which is when the team heads for cross country camp.