COACHES
Mike Orechia
Director of Cross Country
Head Track & Field Coach
Mike Orechia became the Director of Cross Country/Track & Field at the University of Puget Sound in 1997. Orechia had spent the previous ten years as Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at the University of Chicago where he led his Women's Cross Country team to the UAA Championships in 1992 & 1993, earning himself the Coaching Staff of the Year award and the Indoor Coaching Staff of the Year award. It was through his leadership that the women's team qualified for the first time in the school's history to compete in a NCAA championship where they placed fourteenth in 1993. During his time at the University of Chicago, Orechia coached ten All-Americans.
His other coaching experience includes coaching Stella Edwinson who participated in the 1984 Olympic trials in the 400m hurdles, Assistant Track & Field/ Cross Country coach at San Francisco State University (1983-1987), and Head Girls Track Coach at Danvers High School (1979-1981). While coaching at Danvers High School in 1979, his team won the Class B Championship, as well as the All-State Championship and the New England championship.
Since joining the Logger staff, Orechia has been selected Men's USTCA Indoor Track West Region Coach of the Year 2004, Men's XC Coach of the Year in 2002 and Women's XC Coach of the Year in 2001, coached three Men's NWC XC Championship teams and three Women's NWC XC Championship teams, and led the Women's Track & Field team to a 9th place NAIA finish in 1998 and a 5th place finish in 1999. As a Logger, he has also helped produce four National Champions (2 XC, 2 track), 17 track All-Americans, 10 XC All-Americans, 16 Individual XC Academic All-Americans, 10 XC Team Academic All-Americans, 13 Individual track Academic All-Americans, and 8 track team Academic All-Americans.
Orechia earned his B.S. degree in Education from Springfield College in 1978 and his M.A. degree in Education from San Francisco State University in 1985.
Orechia and his wife, Stella, live in Bothell, Washington with their two sons, Christopher and Ryne.
Ed Boitano
Pole Vault
Ed Boitano is in his tenth year at Puget Sound as the pole vault coach, continuing a tradition of strong performances in the event from Puget Sound student-athletes. Ed has coached 1998 national champion Amy Wells, a three time All-American, and three time All-American Katie Heaton. Ed has produced 12 All-Northwest Conference pole vault performers druing his tenure at Puget Sound.
Gary Carew
Sprinters and Hurdlers
Coach Carew's extensive background in the sprinting events adds a tremendous dimension to the Puget Sound track program. Originally from the Country of Trinidad, Gary was a member of his county's 440 yard relay in the 1976 Olympic Games held in Montreal. While competing for Spokane Community College, Gary set the United States Two-Year College 100 yard National Record. He finished his collegiate career at the University of Oregon. His responsibilities will include all sprinting events, hurdles, and relays. Gary joined Puget Sound after sixteen years of coaching track at PLU. Gary has coached over twenty student-athletes who have been recognized as All-Americans.
Bryan Chee
Multi-Event, Throws
Bryan began coaching at Puget Sound in 2004. He primarily works with javelin throwers and assists with multi-event athletes. Bryan was a javelin throwers at University of California, Davis, where he earned his B.A. degree. He received his M.A. degree in Education from Seattle University.
Ben Kevan
400-800m
Ben is in his third year coaching the 400-800m runners at Puget Sound. A consistent scorer at the conference meet and a member of the school record distance medley relay team. Ben graduated for the University of Puget Sound in 2003 with a degree in Exercise Science.
Mike James
Jumps Coordinator
Mike James joins the UPS coaching staff in 2008 after coaching at Wilson High School, where he coached his daughter to state championships in the 100m and 200m and a third place finish in the long jump at the 2007 WIAA 4A Championships.
Randy Moon
Multi-Event Coordinator
Randy Moon ('79) returns to his alma mater in 2008. A coach at Life Christian last year, he is the former UPS school record holder in the decathlon.
Jerry Russell
Discus, Hammer, and Shot Put
Jerry Russell is in his fourth year with Puget Sound. A fourteen year career at PLU followed Russell's highly successful High School and Community College coaching assignments. His coaching responsibilities and expertise will be maximized as he guides the training for the throwing events listed above. Jerry adds over thirty years of coaching experience to our program, having produced over 40 All-Americans during his coaching tenure. He is retired from the Franklin Pierce School District and now is a faculty member at Life Christian Academy. Coach Russell is also very involved with the promotion of Track and Field Coaching Clinics throughout the Northwest.
Larry Scheurer
Sprints Assistant
Larry Scheurer is entering his fourth year as assistant sprint coach at Puget Sound.
