Matt Valeriani - Track and Field Coach

Matt Valeriani

Title:
Volunteer Assistant Coach (Women's Distance)

Matt Valeriani is in his second season as a volunteer assistant coach with Cyclone track and field, working with the women's distance program. Valeriani has been a crucial part of the program's success under assistant track coach and head women's cross country coach Andrea Grove-McDonough.

His work at Grove-McDonough’s side saw Iowa State return atop the Big 12 women’s cross country standings in 2016, while also helping guide ISU to the NCAA Cross Country Championships for an eighth-consecutive season.

The impact Valeriani made in his first season in Ames was demonstrated by a strong freshman campaign by Kelly Naumann. With the coaching staff's help, Naumann qualified for the NCAA West Preliminaries in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing 25th in 10:35.11. Naumann also earned bronze medal in the steeplechase at the Big 12 Championships in a career-best time of 10:26.95

Under Valeriani and ISU staff's guide, Naumann was able to represent Team USA at IAAF U-20 World Championships in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing 26th in 10:45.90. She also qualified for the IAAF U-20 World Championships with second place finish at USATF Junior Championships.

Valeriani previously ran at the University of North Carolina, where he advanced to the 2013 NCAA Cross Country Championship.