Women's Track Adds Two Assistant Coaches
1/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Track
Jan. 17, 2007
MALIBU, Calif. - Pepperdine women's track head coach Robert Radnoti announced the appointment of Melvin Jones Jr. and Karen Costello as assistant coaches Wednesday. This season will mark the second for the Pepperdine program which was added a year ago.
Jones previously served as assistant track coach at Alta Loma High School where he worked with the sprinters and hurdlers for both the boys and girls' programs. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Cal State Los Angeles and is Level II certified by USA Track and Field.
While working for the Center for Athletic Performance in 2005, Jones assisted with speed development and strength and conditioning of athletes in several team sports with emphasis on the mechanics of improving acceleration skills.
From 2001 until he joined Alta Loma he served as a professional coach for Speed Koncept Track Club where he worked with the sprinters and hurdlers on the Olympic development level.
"Coach Jones brings varied experience to the track team," said Radnoti. "His expertise was built, in part, by coaching sprinters and hurdlers on the Olympic development level. He will focus his efforts on the mechanics and technique of running and racing. He will work with runners to develop acceleration skills. Coach Jones is a well-respected member of the USA Track and Field Coaches Association."
Costello brings 17 years of track coaching experience to Pepperdine. She has had coaching stops at Hartnell Community College, Notre Dame High School as well as Salinas High School.
Her college career saw her lead Hartnell to the Small College State Championship as well as setting of a course record. She also received All-Northern California Community College honors. As a coach for the same school, her women's cross country team won the Central Coast Conference Championship and the Northern California Championship leading to her being voted as the conference's Coach of the Year.
She earned her B.A. in Journalism from Humboldt State University in 1981.
A track standout herself, she helped Palos Verdes High School to a then-school-record finish in the 4x400.
"Coach Costello will focus her immediate attention on recruiting and will make a move to Malibu following her daughter's graduation from high school this spring," according to Radnoti. "She brings a wealth of experience in communications and, as a former journalist, will develop the newsletter to inform and promote Pepperdine Track & Field and Cross Country among students, alumni, parents and the broader university community."
This season will mark the second for the Pepperdine women's track program and Radinoti's first as head coach after joining the coaching staff as an assistant coach a year ago.
