Oct. 15, 2010
SAN DIEGO - The San Diego State track and field team have added two volunteer assistant coaches to its staff, head coach Shelia Burrell recently announced. The two volunteers - Jessica Cosby and Aaron Ross - have already started working with the Aztecs.
A three-time U.S. Outdoor champion and the No. 1 ranked hammer thrower in the U.S., Cosby will join assistant coach Boldi Kocsor in working with the SDSU throwers. Cosby brings a wealth of experience and accolades to The Mesa, winning three U.S. outdoor titles in the hammer, including 2008 when she set a U.S. Olympic Trials record with a toss of 232 feet, 0 inches.
A 2008 Olympian, Cosby owns a personal best of 236-4, which she threw at the 2009 U.S. Championships. She was runner-up in 2010. A 2005 UCLA grad, Cosby also won the shot put at the 2002 NCAA outdoor championships.
"Jessica's presence has already made a difference with our throwing squad," Burrell said. "She and coach Kocsor have worked together in the past while at UCLA under world renowned throws coach Art Venegas, so having both at SDSU will only lead to big things for our throws program."
Ross, meanwhile, has already contributed to the SDSU distance running program, helping the cross country team to immediate success in the 2010 campaign. So far this season, all eight returners have set personal-best marks at either the 5K or 6K distance, while four of logged collegiate-best times at both distances.
Ross helped coach sophomore Marianne Hogan win the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational on Oct. 2, a runner-up finish at the UCSD Triton Classic on Oct. 9 and a sixth-place showing at the Aztec Invitational on Sept. 18. In addition, Hogan ran the fourth-fastest 6K in program history at the Stanford Invitational on Sept. 25.
"Aaron's knowledge and understanding of strength training for distance athletes has really made a difference for our team this year," Burrell said. "Having him a part of the program has already been a step in the right direction and our distance athletes are already seeing the benefits."
San Diego State kicks off its indoor season Jan. 29, 2011 at the New Mexico Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M.