Head Coach Damon Martin has a resume that he has built as the Adams State Directory of Cross Country and Track and Field long enough that it just might reach Doha, Qatar and back. It certainly carried him to the big stage last week as the high esteemed coach was selected to coach Team USA's Men's Distance athletes at the IAAF World Championships in Doha. The unique opportunity provides another feather in the cap of Martin, as well as tremendous exposure to a program that he has worked so hard to build over the last three decades. "You know it's a huge honor to be able to represent the USA. We're the greatest track and field team in the world, and I'm very honored to have been chosen to be the coach for the distance runners. I'm really proud to be from a small school and a small town and to represent Adams State and Alamosa and the state of Colorado on the staff, and so it's all a great honor."
 
The 2019 World Championships marks the third time Martin has been part of a coaching staff at a World-Class competition, representing the US National Team. His predecessor at Adams State, Dr. Joe I. Vigil led two Olympic Teams for the USA Distance squad at the 1988 and 2008 Olympics, which is perhaps the next step for Coach Martin as he continues to be an institution in the sport of distance running in the United States. "He [Vigil] was really proud that I got the opportunity. Coach Vigil is very proud of Adams State and really proud of the legacy of our program, and he's very supportive of me and what we're doing here. When he heard I was on the staff of the World Championships, he called me right away and congratulated me." Martin said regarding his former mentor.
 
At the Championships in Doha last week, Martin helped coach numerous top 10 finishers in the distance events, with his runner's contributing to Team USA's grand total of 29 medals for the meet, the most by any country. Martin's notion that the United States is the greatest team in the world is indeed a fact for 2019, which makes the honor of coaching them even more special. Coaching a USA Olympic team may be on the horizon for Martin in the future.
 
Martin returns home to his absolutely loaded 2019 Men's and Women's Cross Country team, who are coming off of a weekend that saw them race at the annual Paul Short Run in Lehigh, PA and dominate, as the women finished second while the men took home third place in a meet stacked with Division I teams. Many of these teams Division I teams that they placed ahead of, were ranked. The Adams State team over the last few decades, because of the coaching and knowledge of the sport as well as the buy-in from the athletes, has been known for being a giant-killer at big meets as they have been known for taking down bigger schools. They are never intimidated at large competitions, as they believe they can run with the absolute best, regardless of classification. This was put on full display last weekend, and is a testament to the athletes as well as their coaching.
 
With passion and commitment to the process, success can range from Alamosa to Doha. Damon Martin embodies passionate coaching, and has seen the fruits of his labors throughout a historic coaching career. While the World Championships may have been the biggest event to date that he has coached, there may be even more in store in the future. He now looks to prepare his Adams State teams for yet another run at a Men's and Women's Cross Country national title in November.