“I've been dreaming about being a coach since I was younger. About five years ago, it was made pretty clear to me that I really wanted to be a track and cross country coach.” Daniel Michalski said those words when he was introduced as the LeTourneau University Cross Country Coach last fall. It’s safe to say that this wasn’t the only dream he has been dreaming.  

Coach Daniel Michalski is now preparing for the race that can launch him straight to the U.S. Men’s Track and Field Team in this year’s Olympic games in Tokyo.

A four-time All-American in cross-country and track and field at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, Michalski is one of 14 runners who will be competing for a spot on the Olympic team on Friday evening (6/25).

At LeTourneau University, Michalski serves a dual role as head cross country coach and assistant track and field coach. When he started last September in his first season as an LETU coach, he stated, “I'm happy to be here because it's a school of likeminded faith, where faith in God is what is taught in the classroom, it’s how we coach our athletes, and how they're learning, working and competing.”

Daniel started his own running career at Xenia High School, and kept running through both Cedarville and at Indiana University. He recently recorded a personal best time when he ran an 8:21.25 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Golden Games in Walnut, California. With his Olympic dreams within reach, his final qualifying hurdle will be undoubtably his most exciting, and most challenging leap yet.

One dream down. Another one ready to achieve tonight.

Coach Michalski’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final qualifying race is tonight (6/25) at 6:30pm (CST).