COD Cross Country hires on Airola to lead Roadrunners

College of the Desert Women's and Men's Cross Country has hired two-time CCCAA Champion, Matthew Airola, to helm the Roadrunners program.

Airola ran for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in 2013 and 2014, winning several All-SEC honors. Prior to moving to Tuscaloosa, he won the 2011 and 2012 CCCAA Men's Cross Country State Titles with the American River College (ARC) Beavers of Sacramento.

"I am looking forward to creating a positive team atmosphere where every student-athlete feels like part of the family," Coach Airola said in a recent interview with COD Athletics.com. "Establishing myself in the community and amongst all high school coaches in the area is going to be my first step. From there I can adjust and alter the checklist to make this program (at COD) a no-brainer for all student-athletes from the area."

Coach Airola is native of Angels Camp, California, a town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 50 miles east of Stockton, where he graduated from Bret Harte Union H.S. in 2010.

"I'm beyond excited to be taking over the program and being part of the Roadrunners family. I have no doubt that I can turn this program around. I see a lot of potential within the Coachella Valley and although the COD Cross Country program has struggled in the past, I'm eager to change that by utilizing tremendous perseverance, individualized mentoring, and a knack for recruiting," commented Coach Airola. "As a student-athlete, I have experienced programs as a cross country powerhouse and that of a program in the beginning phase of a complete rebuild. What similarities arise is that hard work breeds success and a commitment to excellence in all facets of a program is of the utmost."

After his time as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Coach Airola returned to ARC as a volunteer assistant with their Cross Country program. Then went back to the NCAA Division One arena as a volunteer assistant coach in Iowa City, working with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Coach Airola would return to ARC in 2018 as a paid assistant with their Track & Field and Cross Country programs.

Following his Master of Arts degree from Fresno Pacific University, Coach Airola taught Physical Education at a middle school in the East Bay Area.

"I would like the parents and recruits to know that I'm going to do everything within my power to make this the best program that it can be, not only on the field of competition but most importantly in the classroom," continued Coach Airola. "Encouraging and preparing student-athletes for the next phase of their journey is a privilege that pays great dividends. I will be at a lot of high school meets and I look forward to connecting with you all."

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Story & Photo provided by COD Sports Information.