The Montclair State University Athletic
Department announced the hiring of Joel Pasternack as the Red Hawks
new men's and women's cross country head coach. Pasternack returns
to Montclair State after serving as the assistant cross
country/track and field coach under the late Gerald "Bennie" Benson
during the 1998-2000 seasons.
Pasternack brings over 25 years of
coaching experience on all levels from youth-age programs to the
collegiate level. He returned to Montclair State following a
four-year stint as the head cross country/track coach at Ramapo
College from 2001-2003. While at Ramapo, Pasternack helped produce
the school's first All-American, Ronna Killins, who earned the honor
in the 800 meters. Killins was a two-time indoor honoree (2002 and
2003) and was an outdoor All-American in 2003.
"I want to build this
program up to be one of the best in New Jersey," said Pasternack.
"Bennie built a highly-competitive distance program and was a fine
example to learn from. He was always helping me and teaching me new
training ideas."
Pasternack also spent 10
years on the high-school level at St. Mary's High School
(Rutherford), Queen of Peace High School, North Arlington High
School and Cedar Grove High School.
A graduate of William
Paterson College in 1974, Pasternack competed for the Pioneers and
won the New Jersey State 6-Mile championship at Rutgers in his
senior season posting a time of 30:30.
An active competitor for
nearly 38 years, Pasternack also competed in both the prestigious
Boston and New York City Marathons. He placed 25th at the 1976 New
York City Marathon and finished 28th at the 1974 Boston Marathon
with a time of 2:25.03, which ranked as the 35th best time in the
United States that year. |