WASHINGTON - Zach Prescott has joined the American University cross country and track staff for a second time starting in the summer of 2022, hired as an assistant coach by head coach Sean Graham. Prescott returns to DC after one year as the Director of Track & Field Operations at the U.S. Naval Academy. His first stint at AU was as a volunteer assistant coach for the Eagles during the 2020-21 season.

"I'm thrilled to bring Zach back to our American track and cross country staff," said Graham. "He's a tireless recruiter, brings phenomenal energy with a great work ethic and deep ties to the Patriot League. Zach is a perceptive coach with great instincts. I'm very excited to work with Zach and see him grow both professionally and personally as a mentor to our student-athletes.  His knowledge and experience on both the track and cross country course is going to be of great benefit to our program going forward."

While at Navy, Zach managed a large roster of over 180 athletes helping the program win a total of 8 Patriot League Title in Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track and Field. Zach served as the primary point of contact for Navy Track and Field athletes regarding scheduling, logistics, academics, meals, and other student athlete related balancing. Zach also privately coached several post-collegiate athletes during this time from distances ranging from the mile to the marathon.

"I am so excited at the opportunity to return to AU," said Prescott. "The support the athletes and staff showed each other during my time here as a volunteer during the heart of the COVID pandemic demonstrated that the blocks to build a phenomenal program are already here. I can't wait to get to work. I am so thankful to Coach Graham for the opportunity."  

No stranger to the Patriot League, Prescott had a successful career at Boston University, first as a walk-on and then as a scholarship student-athlete. As a senior, he was fifth at the Patriot League Championships in the 3000m steeplechase, picking up a new PR of 9:07.85. He also broke a novelty World Record in the mile while juggling. Prescott was a six-time Patriot League Academic honor roll selection and graduated in 2019 with a degree in business administration & management. He spent the next year living abroad in Sydney, Australia, and trained with the Sydney University Athletics Club while working at the Australian Catholic University. During his time in Australia, Prescott also spent five months working on a farm in rural New South Wales and had the opportunity to train with several high profile Australian distance runners including Jessica Hull.  

A native of Weymouth, Mass., Prescott now lives in Arlington, Va.

For the latest on American University Cross Country & Track, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_TrackXC) and Instagram (@AU_TrackXC).