Track and Field hires new head coach

IU University Director of Athletics Rick Greenspan announced Friday there would be a new director and head coach for the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field teams.\nRon Helmer comes to IU care of Georgetown University where he had held the same title for the last eight years.\n“Ron Helmer is a proven winner,” Greenspan said in a statement. “We conducted a national search and we feel Ron was the best fit for this program. He has had great success on a national stage and his student-athletes have always represented themselves at the highest level on the competitive field and in the classroom.” \nSince being promoted in the 1999-2000 academic year, Helmer led 61 Hoya athletes to Big East individual titles.\n"It is a really exciting time for me and my family," Helmer said in a statement. "This is an incredible opportunity. I was really impressed with the level of positive enthusiasm I encountered with everyone I met in Bloomington. It's going to be a great challenge and I'm really excited to get started."\nHelmer’s hire was announced Friday while the men’s and women’s track and field teams were competing in Columbia, Mo. in the Mideast Regional meet. A strong showing at the regional could mean spots in the NCAA National meet.\nOne athlete who has already punched his ticket for nationals is sophomore pole-vaulter Blayne Burkholder who cleared 5.06 meters to finish third. The trip will be Burkholder’s first. See Thursday’s Indiana Daily Student for more information.