LONGVIEW – LeTourneau University introduced Daniel Michalski as head cross country and assistant track & field coach Tuesday during a press conference.
 
"I'm happy to be here because it's a school of likeminded faith of mine, where the faith in God is what is taught in the classroom, how we coach our athletes, how they're learning, working and competing," Michalski said. "And I'm really excited to be a YellowJacket now.
 
"LeTourneau feels like home in many ways: the size of the town, the Texas feel, even though I'm not from Texas, it feels great. Beyond that, I was very attracted to the campus life here. It's very similar to what I experienced as an undergrad student. So coming here was just a natural fit."
 
Michalski was a four-time All-American in cross country and track & field at Cedarville University. He was the 2017 NCAA Division II Steeplechase National Champion, and broke four school records. He later added two All-American honors at Indiana University, where he broke two school records.
 
"It's exciting to have a young and talented coach and athlete, who is going to help us here at LeTourneau take our programs of cross country and track & field forward," Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Kathleen Raske said. "This great young coach loves the Lord. It is with great excitement today that we welcome Coach Mo to our LeTourneau family. I know he is going to help us just bring that next level of competitiveness to our student-athletes. I think our athletes are going to have a great role model."
 
This is Michalski's first head coaching position. For three straight summers, he served as a camp counselor and coach in Holland, Michigan.
 
"I've been really excited for this opportunity in my life," Michalski said. "I've been dreaming about being a coach since I was younger. About five years ago, it was made pretty clear to me that I really wanted to be a track and cross country coach. Being here today, I'm pumped."