Friday, September 2nd, 2005

Piedmont Names Two-Time Olympian As Head Cross Country Head Coach

The Piedmont College Department of Athletics has announced that former two-time Olympian marathon runner Ena Wienstein has been named the head men’s and women’s cross country coach effective immediately. Weinstein, who comes to PC from the personal health and fitness industry, is a two time Olympian as she represented her home country of Peru in the inaugural women’s marathon race at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles (35th) as well as the 1992 Games in Barcelona (34th).

Weinstein’s personal best marathon time of 2:41 came at the 1992 Boston Marathon where she earned her qualifying time for the 1984 Games. She also held the 1993 women’s 5K record of 15:51.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Barry (FL) University before earning a second undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology from Florida International University. At FIU, she became the school’s first track & field All-American, earning the honor three times at the 1984 NCAA Division II National Championships. Weinstein placed third in the 10K in a school-record time of 34:37, and finished fifth in the 3,000 meters and seventh in the 5,000 meters. She still holds school records in all three events.

“I am excited about teaching the student-athletes here at Piedmont College about distance running training. I look forward to taking the students that are seriously interested in running and giving them the tools to be successful at the NCAA level,” stated Weinstein. She will make her debut as Piedmont’s cross country coach on Saturday when the men’s and women’s teams travel to Spartanburg, SC to participate in the Spartanburg-Methodist Invitational.