Giovanni Lanaro Named 2018 Women's Track & Field State Coach of the Year

Mt. SAC Women's Track and Field Coach, Giovanni Lanaro Named 2017 5CTCA Women's Track and Field, State Coach of the Year.

(Walnut, CA) Mounties Women's Track & Field Head Coach Giovanni Lanaro was named the 2018 Women's Track & Field State Coach of the Year.  The award is voted upon and presented by the California Community College Cross Country and Track Coaches Association (5CTCA).  In his first season at the helm of program, the Mountie Legend guided the women's team to a Southern California and state championship.  At this years state championship, the women's team broke the all-time points total record, scoring 169.5 points and gave Mt. SAC its 12th state title in program history (the most by any college).

"It's a very humbling honor," replied Lanaro.  "This is testament to the hard work of our team, track staff and the support of the professors, staff and adminstration at Mt. SAC."  

Individually, Lanaro guided 6 individuals who scored 38 points, in 3 events, to the state championships.  This included Men's Pole Vault State Champion, Christian Mueller who became Lanaro's 5th state champion in the past 7 years.

Lanaro secured his Mt. SAC legacy as a former pole vault student-athlete.  Lanaro entered Mt. SAC with a 11'06" personal best out of West Covina High School in 2000.  That season he raised his best to 16'07", captured the state championship and placed 4th at the U.S.A. Track and Field Junior National Championships.  The next season he broke the Mt. SAC Record and captured the national community college title.  He went on to earn two NCAA Division 1 All-American honors, break numerous records (Cal State Fullerton, Mt. SAC Relays, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, Central American, Mexican), compete in two Olympic Games and was ranked top ten in the world for many years.  The future Hall of Famer currently holds the Mt. SAC Record at 17'06" 1/2, a record previously held by Bill Halverson and legendary Mountie/Olympic Gold Medalist Bob Seagren, who concurrently held the record at 17'01".

Lanaro will receive the award at the annual 5CTCA Convention, to be held on August 4th, in Walnut Creek (CA).

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.