Reed Elmore

Reed Elmore started as the head cross country and track coach in 2009

Elmore, an Arcata High graduate, was inducted into Humboldt State's Athletic Hall of Fame twice after an impressive distance running career at HSU from 1990-92. He was inducted into HSU's hall of fame first in 2002 individually, and then was again inducted in September 2011 as a member of the 1991 HSU cross country team. Elmore, who graduated from Arcata in 1987, went on to run at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he qualified for the state championships his freshman year in the 800-meter.

His senior season, Elmore was an All-American selection in both track and field and cross country at HSU, taking the conference championship in the Steeple Chase. "Competing at HSU was just a great all-around experience for me," Elmore said. "I learned so much about the sport and what it takes to be successful." After HSU, Elmore stayed with the sport by running in various road circuits and has coached in the HSU Running Camp every year since 1990.

In 1997, Elmore became an assistant coach at Arcata, under his former head coach James Washington, then moved on to Flagstaff High School in Arizona in 2002 before returning to HSU as an assistant in 2004. Elmore served two years as an assistant at McKinleyville High School before finally becoming a head coach for the Panthers in 2008. He then accepted the head coaching job at CR the following year. "I really enjoy working at the junior college level," Elmore said. "I have a social work type of background and I like helping kids get to the next level that might not otherwise make it."

According to Elmore, the Humboldt County area is the perfect area for long distance running, mostly because of the climate. "This area is ideal for distance running," Elmore said. "The weather, the trails; it never gets freezing and it never gets too hot.  Other schools out of the area will have to practice at five or six in the morning because it gets so hot in the summer."

CR Athletic Director Joe Hash is happy to have such a well-connected and motivated coach on his staff. "Reed has a tremendous background in both education and running," Hash said. "He certainly has the pedigree in running, but he also has two Master's Degrees and has worked in a number of different educational settings. He really understands athletics and student development and can see the whole picture to put it together for young people. We're certainly happy to have him with us."