Aaron Russell’s name is synonymous with Lock Haven cross country and track & field, particularly in the mid-distance and distance events.
Now more than two decades into his coaching career at The Haven, Russell has built the men’s and women’s programs into consistent contenders in the PSAC and NCAA Division II Atlantic Region. His athletes have earned conference, regional and national honors while also achieving success in the classroom.
Russell currently serves as Lock Haven’s Head Men’s & Women’s Cross Country Coach and Head Men’s & Women’s Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field Coach.
A Look Back at 2025–26
The 2025–26 season continued a strong stretch for Lock Haven cross country and track & field.
On the men’s side, experienced runners such as Morgan Gavitt and Gavin Furey helped lead a roster that also included Anden Atkins and a number of younger Bald Eagles. Gavitt entered the season after earning All-PSAC honors in the 800 meters during the 2025 outdoor track season, while Atkins and Furey were also PSAC outdoor championship finalists in the 800.
The women returned a strong group that included Nicole Carroll, Ella Bray, Stef Steckel, Kathryn Todd, Kaydence Strange and Paige Watson. Carroll entered the year after earning USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region recognition, while several members of the women’s program continued to earn academic recognition.
The Haven also continued its tradition of hosting championship-level competition, with Lock Haven serving as host of the 2025 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Cross Country Championships.
With a mix of experienced athletes and younger talent, both programs continued to build on Russell’s long tradition of success at the conference, regional and national levels.
A Quick Look at Russell’s Coaching Career
- 13 NCAA Division II All-Americans
- 125 All-PSAC Cross Country honors
- 91 All-Region Cross Country honors
- 7 Atlantic Region Individual Champions
- 9 PSAC Individual Champions
- 4 Individual NCAA Cross Country Qualifiers
- 15 NCAA Cross Country Team Qualifiers
- 4 PSAC Rookies of the Year
- 9 PSAC Athletes of the Year
- 7 Atlantic Region Athletes of the Year
- 35 All-Academic Cross Country Team honors
- 110 All-Academic Cross Country Individual honors
- 1 PSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
- 12 CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District selections
- 8 PSAC Top-10 selections
- 6 Atlantic Region Coach of the Year honors
- 7 PSAC Men’s Coach of the Year honors
Year-by-Year Highlights
Russell has been named Atlantic Region Coach of the Year six times (2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014) and PSAC Men’s Coach of the Year seven times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013 and 2014).
2024–25
The 2024–25 season was highlighted by several outstanding individual performances.
Matthew Muthler earned All-American honors during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. He won the PSAC outdoor decathlon with 7,355 points, setting Lock Haven, PSAC Championship and overall PSAC records.
Ryan Miller won his second straight PSAC outdoor 400-meter title and earned All-American honors at the NCAA Championships. He was later named PSAC Men’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year.
Eric Zalar and Peter Bellomo also qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, while Morgan Gavitt earned All-PSAC honors in the 800 meters and Josiah Schans earned All-PSAC honors in both hurdle events.
The men finished fourth at the PSAC Outdoor Championships with 99 points, their best finish since 2017.
On the women’s side, Nicole Carroll earned USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region honors.
Academic success also continued, with Jakob Rager, Peter Bellomo, Eric Zalar, Ryan Miller and Matthew Muthlerearning CSC Academic All-District honors. Nicole Carroll, Gwen Lloyd, Kiersten Lloyd, Jenna Smith and Mallory Eck earned the honor for the women.
2023–24
Ryan Miller won the PSAC outdoor championship in the 400 meters, while Peter Bellomo finished second in the javelin and Justice Shoats earned top-three finishes in the long jump and high jump.
On the women’s side, Aubrey Sechrist finished third in the 800 meters at the PSAC Outdoor Championships.
During cross country, Elaina Klinger finished third at the Atlantic Region Championships and qualified individually for the NCAA Division II National Championships. Jakob Rager also earned All-PSAC honors for the men.
2022
The Lock Haven women finished third at both the PSAC and Atlantic Region Championships and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championships for the second time in program history.
Four women earned All-PSAC honors, with Gwen Lloyd, Krista Jones and Elaina Klinger finishing among the top 10.
For the men, Chris Hine finished ninth at the PSAC Championships to earn All-Conference honors.
2021
The men finished third at the PSAC Championships behind All-PSAC performances from Gage Krall, John Davern and Kohen Stover.
The women also finished third, led by Cadie Kiser, Morgan Perry and Elaina Klinger. Kiser and Perry went on to earn All-Region honors.
During the spring season, the women finished second at the PSAC Championships, matching the best finish in program history at the time.
2019
The men finished second at the PSAC Championships with four All-Conference runners. Aaron Pfeil finished second at the Atlantic Region Championships and qualified for the NCAA Championships.
For the women, Laurel Moyer and Cadie Kiser finished third and sixth at the regional championships and both advanced to nationals.
2015–16
The men won their third straight PSAC championship in 2015. Dylan Mountain won the individual conference title and later earned All-American honors as Lock Haven finished 11th nationally.
In 2016, Addison Monroe won both the PSAC and Atlantic Region individual championships before earning All-American honors at the NCAA Championships.
2013–14
Lock Haven won both the PSAC and Atlantic Region championships in 2013 and 2014.
Alex Monroe finished third nationally in 2013 and became the first four-time All-American in program history.
In 2014, all seven Lock Haven runners earned All-Region honors and eight earned All-PSAC honors. Dylan Mountainwent on to earn All-American honors.
2010–12
Russell guided the men to three straight NCAA Championship appearances. The Bald Eagles won the Atlantic Region title and finished 11th nationally in 2010.
In 2011, the women earned the first NCAA Championship appearance in program history after finishing second in the Atlantic Region. They finished 20th nationally and earned the program’s first national ranking.
2003–06
Russell quickly established Lock Haven as a conference and regional power after taking over in 2002.
The men won four straight PSAC championships from 2003 through 2006 and three Atlantic Region titles. Lock Haven finished ninth nationally in 2004, one of the best NCAA finishes in program history.
Russell earned PSAC Coach of the Year honors in all four seasons.
Track & Field and Academic Success
Russell’s impact extends well beyond cross country. Lock Haven track & field athletes have earned PSAC championships, NCAA qualifications, school and conference records and All-American honors under his leadership.
Recent standouts including Matthew Muthler, Ryan Miller, Eric Zalar, Peter Bellomo, Morgan Gavitt, Josiah Schans, Jakob Rager and Nicole Carroll have continued that tradition.
Academic success has also remained a major part of the program. Lock Haven athletes have earned numerous USTFCCCA All-Academic, CoSIDA/CSC Academic All-District and PSAC academic honors.
Before Lock Haven
Before returning to The Haven, Russell served as an assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky University, where he helped coach three cross country teams to Ohio Valley Conference titles, seven OVC Athletes of the Year, three All-Americans and numerous Academic All-Americans.
Russell earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass communication from Lock Haven University in 1996 and his Master of Science degree in sport administration from Eastern Kentucky University in 1998.
As a Lock Haven student-athlete, Russell was a two-year captain, a multiple PSAC Scholar-Athlete honoree and an ECAC qualifier in track & field.
More than two decades later, Russell continues to build on The Haven’s tradition of success while developing student-athletes at the conference, regional, national and academic levels.
*Updated: September 2026
