COACH MATT LOWE

Coach Matt's Story

With over a decade of experience dedicated to training and human performance, I am passionate about crafting personalized training programs that ignite your potential. Whether it’s middle-distance, long-distance, road races, cross-country, trail races, or comprehensive strength training, I design each program to elevate your journey.

I work with high school athletes looking to reach the next level, adults chasing PRs or qualifying for a World Major Marathon, and anyone committed to becoming stronger, smarter, and more confident in their training. 

My coaching style is process-driven and highly individualized. I emphasize sustainable progress, smart training cycles, and helping athletes build habits that last - whether they're preparing for a 5k or 100 miles.

I maximize the utilization of periodization, providing thoughtful and strategic training methods, and I ensure you’re not just race-ready but prepared to conquer the challenges ahead. Together, we will focus on training blocks that enhance your strengths and address your weaknesses, paving the way for you to flourish as a well-rounded athlete. Let’s embark on this transformative journey to achieve your athletic goals!

PHILOSOPHY

What sets me apart is my ability to connect with people and design plans that fit your life, not the other way around.

My training programs are meticulously designed to provide variety while staying within the parameters of periodization, which focuses on effectively peaking athletes at the right time. My approach to designing workouts focuses on everything being progressed and nothing being neglected, and is maintained to continue elevating fitness. Primary focuses in workouts become shifted as the season draws closer to the championship segment, and everything is maintained so that physiological adaptation is not lost. This approach ensures that athletes can consistently reach peak performance and are ready to excel in their respective events, a testament to the effectiveness of my coaching methods.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

• Former Head Cross Country/ Distance Track Coach at Friends University (NAIA)
• Former Head Cross Country/ Distance Track Coach at Saint Martin’s University (NCAA DII)
• Former Assistant Cross Country/ Track & Field Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College (NCAA DII)
• 4 National Championship Qualifiers
• 2 All-American Athletes
• 2x Top 10 Cross Country Team Finishes at West Region Championships
• 2x Runner-Up Cross Country Team
• Finishes at GNAC Championships
• 4 All-Region medalists
• 5 Freshman of the Year recipients
• 6 Athlete of the Year recipients
• 70 All-Conference recipients
• 40 Conference Champion & Runner-Up Finishes
• Coached multiple people to qualify for World Major Marathons, such as the Boston Marathon and New York City Marathon.
• Coached multiple people to win conference titles and achieve National Championship Qualifying standards

Married for over 6 years, and father of 2 little girls. I enjoy going on hikes with my family. Archery. Rock Climbing

RACING HISTORY

• Hall of Fame Inductee (2017)
• KIAC Male Athlete of the Year
• 2x All American (5000, 10,000m)
• 11x National Qualifier (4x in XC, 3x Indoor, 4x Outdoor)
• 10 School Records ranging from 1500m to 10,000m distances
• Boston Marathon Qualifier
• 2nd Place finisher at the Austin 3M Half Marathon

Lifetime Personal Bests:

3000m – 8:34 
5000m – 14:34 
8000m – 25:20 
10,000m – 30:37 
10 Mile – 54:54 
HM – 1:07.29 
Trail HM – 2:55:52 (Beast of Big Creek Trail Race)
Marathon – 2:38.38 (Cascade Super Marathon 2019)

CERTIFICATIONS

USATF Level II in Endurance Events
BA – Psychology from Brescia University
Master of Sport Science in Sports Coaching from the United States Sports University
M.Ed. – Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University