Ben True Named Interim Cross Country/Distance Coach
8/5/2024 3:15:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field, Athletics
True will lead the men’s and women’s programs into the 2024 season
HANOVER, N.H. — Dartmouth's Haldeman Family Director of Athletics and Recreation Mike Harrity announced on Monday the appointment of former Dartmouth All-American Ben True '08 as interim men's and women's cross country/distance coach. True will lead the men's and women's programs, which head back to campus for preseason training later this month.
"We are excited that Ben True, one of Dartmouth's most accomplished student-athletes, will help guide our current students toward maximizing their growth and potential this fall," Harrity said. "As a Dartmouth alum, Ben knows what it takes for our student-athletes to pursue excellence both in the classroom and in competition. We are confident that his leadership will help inspire our student-athletes to achieve their full potential, and we look forward to supporting him and the positive impact he will make on our teams."Â
A decorated student-athlete in his time at Dartmouth, True was an All-American in cross country, track and field and skiing (Nordic). He was a three-time Ivy League Heptagonal Champion in cross country while leading the Big Green to their last team title in 2005. True was also Dartmouth's top scorer on the 2007 NCAA Championship winning ski team. He was a two-time recipient of the Alfred E. Watson Trophy, which honors Dartmouth's Male Varsity Athlete of the Year. Ben is also a member of the Wearers of the Green, the exclusive group created in 1984 to honor Dartmouth students, alumni, and coaches for athletic excellence in their respective sports, including Olympians, All-Americans, national champions, major league professionals and other exceptional forms of recognition.Â
"I am thrilled to return to The Woods and begin working with the men and women of Dartmouth," said True. "I have always said that there is no better place to run than Hanover, New Hampshire. I am excited to reenergize the distance program and to reestablish Dartmouth's legacy of distance running success."
True has been living and training in the Upper Valley for over 15 years. He currently serves as head coach and director of Northwoods Athletics, a professional running team with a strong community focus. True was also a volunteer assistant coach with Dartmouth cross country and track and field in 2022-23.
As an athlete, True represented the United States at the World Cross Country Championships twice (2011 & 2013). He placed sixth in 2013, the highest finish by an American man in over 40 years. He also competed twice at the World Track & Field Championships (2015 & 2019). True is also the American record holder in the 5k road race. He ended 2015 ranked sixth in the world by Track & Field News in the men's 5,000m.
True steps into the role formerly held by Kendra Foley Andrews, who served as the head women's cross country coach and assistant track and field coach (for distance and mid-distance) since August 2021 and is departing Dartmouth with her husband, Jordan Andrews, for his next job opportunity in professional men's soccer and to move closer to family in central Indiana. Foley Andrews played an important role in the growth and development of student-athletes on both the women's and mens' teams.
The Dartmouth cross country programs are slated to kick off their seasons on Saturday, September 7 at the Shawn M. Nassaney Invite in Smithfield, Rhode Island before returning to Hanover to host the Maribel Sanchez Souther Invite on Saturday, September 14th. The women's cross country team is coming off a third-place finish at the 2023 Ivy League Championship, its best finish since 2018. The Big Green return Madeleine Locher, who finished eighth at the championship and earned All-Ivy honors. The men's cross country team will look to build on its sixth-place finish last year at the Ivy League Championship.
Â
Players Mentioned
