Sullivan Restructures Track and Field Staff
7/14/2022 10:30:00 AM | Men's Track & Field, Women's Track & Field
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan director of track and field / cross country Kevin Sullivan announced Thursday (July 14) a restructuring of the coaching staff effective immediately for the 2022-23 academic year, with Jenni Ashcroft and Steven Rajewsky taking on expanded roles.
Ashcroft will be elevated to an associate head coach role in addition to her duties as the primary coach for jumps and combined events, while Rajewsky will assume leadership over both the men's and women's sprints and hurdles groups.
The position on the staff left vacant following longtime coach James Henry's retirement announcement last month will be responsible for assisting and supporting Ashcroft and Rajewsky in their coaching duties, as well as serving as the primary recruiting coordinator for the program.
"I'm really, really excited that Jenni and Steve have accepted these promotions," Sullivan said. "I think it's well earned, and we've worked together really well during our time on staff. With these two, as well as our full staff, I am excited to have a core group of people that I trust, that I am confident in and that I know will continue to elevate Michigan track and field."
Ashcroft, who has served as an assistant coach for the jumps and multi-events since the 2018 season, also will be tasked with evaluating and enhancing team culture and team unity as well as fostering leadership opportunities for student-athletes.
In four seasons at Michigan, her student-athletes have earned six All-America honors and three Big Ten titles, and have broken four school records. The Wolverine jumpers and multi-eventers have combined for an additional six Big Ten Championships medals during that time.
"Jenni shares the vision that I have of continuing to push Michigan track and field forward as an elite-level program, both in the conference and nationally." Sullivan said. "She has great experience and perspective from her time here and at Wichita State, Cal Poly and Oregon, where she has seen how strong programs operate. I see one of her big strengths and one of her big responsibilities moving forward is to continue to cultivate our team culture and move us forward. She can help all of our athletes take steps forward to being elite conference and national-level performers."
Rajewsky, who has guided the men's sprinters and hurdlers since 2014, also will now lead the women's sprints and hurdles corps. That group had been under the direction of Henry since the early 1980s.
This year, Rajewsky guided Joshua Zeller to a spot on Team Great Britain for the World Championships in the 110-meter hurdles. Along the way he won two Big Ten titles, set a Big Ten record and claimed bronze at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. In total, Rajewsky has coached five Big Ten champions and 10 All-Americans during his time in Ann Arbor.
"Steve brings great technical knowledge. In his time here at Michigan, he has done an outstanding job of taking elite athletes and continuing to see them improve, but also guiding quality walk-ons and developing them for the Big Ten and national stage," Sullivan said. "When you have a coach who is adept at developing athletes, it makes sense to bring the entire sprint group under his tutelage. I'm confident with his energy, his relationship-building skills, and his technical expertise that we're going to see what's already a young talented group of female sprinters only elevate their performances as we move forward."
Mike McGuire will remain the assistant coach in charge of the women's distance program, as well as the head coach of the women's cross country team. Colin Boevers will continue to oversee the men's and women's throwers. Sullivan will continue to oversee the men's distance squad in addition to his duties as the director of the program.
Players Mentioned
