|
Cross Country Coach
Bob Smalley
Head Coach
20th Year
[Email
Coach Smalley]
A graduate of Houghton College, Bob Smalley returned in 1988 to coach the men’s
and women’s cross country teams. Six years later he picked up Houghton’s
track and field team.
Coach Smalley believes in "developing the person holistically and
allowing them to get pleasure out of running, but realizing the benefits of hard
work." That hard work has translated into success. His teams have become
one of the top NAIA programs in the Northeast, garnering numerous conference and
region titles and earning several appearances at national championship meets.
His women's cross country team has finished in the top 25 five times, with the
men’s team earning the honor twice.
In the last six years, four of Smalley's runners have earned NAIA
All-America honors. These are the first All-American runners in Houghton’s
history.
Smalley, too, has been recognized for his hard work, earning a number of
conference and regional coach of the year awards for both his men's and women's
team.
Smalley expects his athletes to "study hard, work hard and keep a
balance between athletics and the rest of life." It is easy to see this
work ethic in his cross country teams. Several of his runners have been named
NAIA All-America Scholar Athletes and a number of his teams have earned Academic
Team awards by maintaining GPAs of at least 3.0.
His keys to success are to "make sure this is the Lord’s program…
not Houghton’s or mine. The Lord has provided the people here and will work
though them." Another key to his teams' successes is the close bond among
the athletes. Smalley feels that "friendship and fellowship are key to
developing a strong team."
His team verse in 2000 summed up the goal set forth for Smalley’s teams.
" Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that
you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
 Matt Dougherty
Assistant Coach
3rd Year
[Email
Coach Dougherty]
A former member of the Houghton cross country and track teams.
Matt is currently the assistant cross country and track coach at
Houghton College. He came to Houghton after 3 years as Head
Cross Country coach at Paul Smiths College where he lead the
Men's team to a 3rd place finish at the National Championships.
Dougherty is an active coach as a
member of the U.S.A. Triathlon Team, he competed in the 2003
World Championship in Spain and has been successfully involved
in endurance sports (running, biking, canoeing, snowshoeing,
cross country skiing, and competitive triathlons) since his
early teens. He is currently a professional adventure racer
focusing on longer distance races including three to five day
long races.
In all areas, Matt has
performed at a high level, locally as well as internationally.
He has been a Junior Olympic All-American; holds an
international world record for the 8Kand Mile in snowshoeing;
and has produced over twenty five gold medals in the Empire
State Games.
During high school Matt competed in eight New York State cross
country and track championships. In 1998 his team won the state
title. As a Houghton College athlete, Matt was named team
captain and competed on two teams that were ranked in the NAIA
top 24 including the best ever finish for a Houghton Cross
Country team at Nationals 17th place.
Mary Gibson
Assistant Coach
1st Year
Mary Gibson returns to the
Houghton team as an assistant coach after a successful career as
a runner for the Highlanders. Her five All-American awards tie
her with Krista Ruth as the most decorated runner in Houghton
history. Her career highlights included her dual All-American
placing in the 2006 Indoor Track & Field National Championships,
in the 1000m & Mile, and her third place finish in the 2006
Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 1500m. Many of her
performances have earned her a spot on the Houghton record
board, and she had held 12 different event records in Track and
Field. She has recently begun competition in triathlon, and
seeks to continue her athletic career on the track. | 
