Elon Cross Country Announces Addition to Coaching Staff

ELON, N.C. – Elon University head cross country coach Christine Engel announced the addition of Alex Smyth as an volunteer assistant coach to her staff on Monday, July 15.

“I am very excited to have Alex joining our staff,” said Engel. “He brings a wealth of experience as a high level collegiate athlete. He has had success both individually and as part of championship teams. I know he will have a great impact on our student-athletes.”

Smyth arrives at Elon after serving as an assistant coach for track and field at Leon High School in Tallahassee, Fla. Smyth also served as a coach with the Science of Speed in Tallahassee, where he worked with clients to develop individualized training methods and teach techniques and forms in regards to running, cycling and swimming.

“I am honored to be joining the Elon cross country team this year,” said Smyth. “Coach Engel and I get along great and share the same views when it comes to coaching, so I am excited to work with her and learn a lot from her. I am very excited for this upcoming season and what it has to offer. This group of athletes is a great bunch of men and women and I look forward to helping Coach Engel push them to high standards in both the classroom and in competition.”

A native of Sequim, Wash., Smyth competed collegiately in cross country and track and field at Eastern Washington from 2007-2010, where he served as team captain. He was a two-time All-Big Sky Conference selection in cross country and in track and field in the 1500-meters. He was also an eight-time member of the league’s All-Academic team. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Eastern Washington in 2010.

As a graduate student in 2010-11, Smyth was a member of the Florida State cross country and track and field programs. He helped the Seminoles to an Atlantic Coast Conference title in cross country and a runner-up finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. He was also a member of FSU’s track and field team that captured the ACC championship.

Smyth earned his master’s in sports management from Florida State in 2012.