CharLee Linton, cougar distance runner alumna, made her debut as cross country assistant coach and will also be staying on with Head Coach Wayne Phipps for track and field later this year.

Allix Potratz-Lee who had been the assistant coach for the last three seasons, left the cross country and track coaching staff in June. Linton has worked closely with both Phipps, senior distance runner Sam Levora and many other members of the team. She plans to get a sense of cohesion between the athletes and coaching staff that they have been yearning for.

“She has been trying to bridge the gap between the coaching staff and the athletes,” men’s captain Levora said. “[Linton] maintains a great relationship with both the girl’s and boy’s teams. She creates that connection that links the head coach to the athletes.”

Originally from Shoreline, Washington, Linton picked up momentum quickly after walking on the team as a freshman in 2012. Linton’s accomplishments throughout her collegiate career are plentiful.

Linton placed in both the Pac-12 Cross Country Championships and the NCAA West Region Cross Country Championships three years in a row. As somebody who has been through the program, Linton defined what hard work and confidence looks like, senior distance runner and women’s captain Devon Bortfeld said.

Linton graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and she never lost the drive for cross country. She volunteered for the team until being offered the assistant coaching positon.

“This is my chance, this is a great opportunity and I might not run into it again,” Linton said when recalling the moment she was offered the job.

Phipps predicts a smooth transition this season with his newest member of the coaching staff. Having a previous history of running with the team helped make the transition seamless, Phipps said.

“[Linton] fit everything on my checklist of what I needed for a new assistant,” Phipps said. “The student athletes absolutely respect her and she’s going to be an amazing coach for us.”

The Sept. 7 Oregon Cross Country Preview has been cancelled due to poor air quality. The next meet will take place Sept. 29 at Notre Dame.