Oklahoman selected to lead Aggie cross country
LAWTON, Okla. (June 29) – Cameron University officials announced Wednesday the selection of Matt Aguero as the school’s first men’s cross country coach. A native of Poteau, Okla., Aguero will assume his duties immediately as he prepares to lead the Aggies into their first season of competition as a newly formed squad this fall.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to build the Cameron men’s cross country program from the ground up,” Aguero said. “Getting our schedule completed and filling out our roster are the top priorities right now, but I definitely feel like we’ll be able to compete well in the Lone Star Conference right from the start.”
No stranger to LSC competition, Aguero was a member of the men’s cross country and track teams at East Central University from 1999-2003, earning All-Region and LSC All-Academic honors with the Tigers. He holds the ECU marathon record and was a three-time qualifier for the National Track and Field Championships. Aguero also spent one semester at Minot (N.D.) State University, where he also established a school record in the marathon and earned NAIA All-American honors by finishing third in the marathon at the 2004 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Following his successful collegiate career, Aguero entered the coaching ranks last season as the assistant cross country and track coach at Virginia Intermont College, where he helped create and organize practice workouts, served as study hall coordinator for the squad and assisted in the administrative duties associated with the program. His efforts helped push VIC to the 2004 NAIA men’s cross country national title in just its second year of existence, as well as runner-up team finishes at both the NAIA Indoor and Outdoor Track National Championships this spring.
“Matt certainly brings with him an impressive history of success as a runner and a coach,” said Cameron interim athletic director Kim Vinson. “We are excited about the future of men’s cross country at Cameron University and thankful that we have someone of Matt’s caliber at our disposal to get the program started on the right foot.”
In addition to his collegiate experience, Aguero also has served as an instructor and coach in the Poteau school district and as youth group leader at the Poteau First Assembly of God church. Other community involvement efforts include serving as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, a charity 5K race volunteer and an adapted swimming program volunteer.
Cameron will begin competition in men’s cross country this fall. The Aggies will compete in no less than six events, including the 2005 Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championships and the 2005 NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championships. Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Aggie cross country team or seeking additional information about the program may contact Coach Aguero at (580) 581-2460.
