July 24, 2006

Rhoten joins Central cross country staff

PELLA —Former all-American decathlete Jay Rhoten has been named assistant men's and women's cross country coach at Central College .

Rhoten, a 1998 Central graduate, will also continue serving as an assistant track and field coach for the Dutch after joining the staff last spring.
A three-time Iowa Conference men's track and field MVP, Rhoten swept the 1998 NCAA Div. III Central Region men's indoor and outdoor track and field athlete of the year awards presented by the U.S. Track and Field Coaches Association. He placed second in the NCAA Division III decathlon in 1998 after finishing sixth the previous year. He was fourth in the 1998 Drake Relays decathlon, and second among university and college competitors. Also a two-time team MVP and a team captain, Rhoten placed in five events at the 1998 Iowa Conference meet as the Dutch took the men's team title for the third time in his four seasons.

Rhoten will work with head cross country coach Jeff Bovee as the Dutch prepare for the 2006 season which opens Sept. 2 with the Central Dutch Invitational.