Coaching Staff

BRAD PETERSON

brpeterson@indianatech.edu
(260) 422-5561 x2115

Coach Brad Peterson had a successful first season as cross country coach at Indiana Tech as both the men's and women's teams qualified for nationals. The men placed 20th while the women placed 9th. The women also won conference and regional titles. Peterson coached Camron Walter to an All American finish at nationals as he placed 20th. Kara Van Horn just missed finishing All American for the women as she was 36th place at nationals and needed to be top 30.

Peterson also had a successful first season as track coach at Indiana Tech in their first season. The women qualified 12 different people for indoor and outdoor nationals and the men qualified 15 different individuals for indoor and outdoor nationals. Peterson coached Alissa McKaig to 3 national championships, one indoors in the 5000 meters, and two outdoors in the 5000 and 10,0000. In both of those races, she broke the national meet record, running 16:39 for 5k and 34:20 for 10k. Peterson also coached Rod Waters to a national title in the 110 hurdles, as Waters ran 13.98. Other All American that Peterson coached in his first year were Derrick Brinkley in the 600 and Kesonn Lee in the 60 meter dash. Top 10 finishers for Peterson at indoor or outdoor nationals were Alyssa Webb in the 1500 and 800; Camron Walter in the steeplechase; Dina Petridis in the pole vault; Brett Tipton in the 800; Kesonn Lee in the 100 and 200; the men's 3200 relay; and the women's 1600 relay.

Coach Peterson's prior coaching experience was at the high school level, first at Northrop High School in 1997-1999, and then at Concordia High School in 1999-2006. In those 9 years, he coached 12 different individual state champions. His coaching highlights at Northrop High School: Brett Tipton and Nathan Peffley went 1-2 in the 1600 meter run in 1999. Tipton winning the national 800 championship indoors. Tipton running 1:51.77, the 3rd fastest 800 in United States high school history at the time. Talia Barwick winning the 800 in 2:14 in 1998. The 3200 relay team finishing 2nd at nationals in a time of 7:41 in 1998. Peterson's coaching highlights at Concordia: Alissa McKaig winning the state cross country meet in 2003 and then backing it up with Adele Mitchell winning the state cross country meet the very next year in 2004. McKaig also qualified for Foot Locker Nationals and was the state 1600 champion in 4:49. Joy Eloms won the 100 meter dash in 2004 in 11.90. Christina Whitt won the 200 in 24.49 in 2002. Peterson also coached Amber Williams in the hurdles to a 3rd place state meet finish and she is now one of the best hurdlers in the United States at Ball State, qualifying for the Olympic Trials in 2008.

Peterson was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and attended Concordia High School, where he competed in cross country, track, and basketball. Brad went on to Ball State University where he received his Education degree in English, Physical Education, and Health. He also received his Master's Degree in Administration from IPFW in 2007.

MATT BLUME

Coach Matt Blume comes to Indiana Tech from Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW), where he has served as a volunteer assistant cross country and track coach for the past year and a half. While at IPFW, Blume helped to coach Hunter Paris to the 8k cross country school record, in addition to a top-ten placing at the All-Independent Championships. Before his stint at IPFW, Blume was a volunteer assistant cross country coach with Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne.

Blume originally hails from Logansport, Indiana. He attended Pioneer High School in Royal Center, Indiana where he participated in cross country, swimming, and track. After graduating from Pioneer in 2000, Blume attended Valparaiso University, where he was a member of the cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams. In cross country he was named the team's Most Valuable Runner in 2002 and was selected as Team Captain in 2003. His cross country 10k time ranks as the 9^th fastest in school history. In track he earned All Mid-Continent Conference honors in the outdoor 5000m as a junior. He currently ranks 4^th in Valpo history in the indoor 5000m, outdoor 5000m, and 3000m steeplechase. In 2004 Blume graduated from Valparaiso with a degree in electrical engineering. Upon graduation he accepted a position at ITT Aerospace/Communications in Fort Wayne, where he currently works as an engineer. He continues to train and race competitively as a member of the Three Rivers Running Company Racing Team.

Coach Blume is very excited to be a part of a new tradition of success at Indiana Tech. He is very passionate about running and looks forward to having the opportunity to instill that same passion in the student-athletes at Indiana Tech.