By FHSU Sports Information
Fort Hays State head track and field/cross country coach Jason McCullough has announced the hiring of Jonathan Graupmann as assistant track and field coach. Graupmann will work primarily with sprinters and hurdlers while actively participating in the recruiting process.
“What a thrill it is to come alongside such a great program,” said Graupmann. “The facilities and resources available here in Hays are outstanding; I am very excited for this opportunity and I can’t wait to hit the ground running.
I want to thank Dr. McCullough, associate athletic director Brad Haynes and all the staff at Fort Hays State for their assistance in the transition process and to everyone at Central College for helping me get to this point in my career.”
Graupmann spent the past five seasons at Central College, where the team won 28 Iowa Conference championships in horizontal jumps and sprinting events. In addition to having his athletes earn All-American status 10 times, he coached 90 All-Iowa Conference performers in his events.
Prior to Central College, Graupmann coached the 2013 season at Texas Lutheran University as an assistant women’s track and field coach. He previously coached for two seasons at Tiffin University after spending time on the coaching staff at Marietta College in Ohio (2009-11). Graupmann directed the Northern Kentucky Track Club for a year after graduating from college, while also serving as assistant track and field and cross country coach at Dixie Heights (Ky.) High School.
“We are excited to have coach Graupmann join the Tiger track and field/cross country staff,” said McCullough. “Jon has extensive experience recruiting and developing young talent in numerous events. We look forward to a great 2018-19 season and beyond.”
A 2007 graduate of Division III Ohio Northern University, Graupmann was a five-time Ohio Athletics Conference sprint champion and earned All-America distinction in the 4×100-meter relay in 2005.
Graupmann has also had extensive training through USA Track and Field (USATF) and has earned USATF Level 3 certification in sprints/hurdles/relays while receiving Level 2 training in endurance events and jumps. He also attained International Association of Athletics Federations Level 5 coach distinction.
Graupmann received a Master of Humanities with a concentration in creative writing and English literature from Tiffin University (Ohio) in 2016. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Ohio Northern University in 2007.