Nov. 5, 2008

BEAUMONT - After guiding the Lamar University men's and women's cross country programs to six Southland Conference titles in the last five years, head cross country and assistant track coach Sita Waru-Ewell is heading to George Mason University to take over as the Associate Head Coach for track and cross country.

Waru-Ewell, who has spent the last seven years at Lamar, will join the George Mason staff on December 1, one week after the cross country national championships in Terre Haute, Ind.

"I'm looking forward to this exciting opportunity at George Mason," Waru-Ewell said. "I've really enjoyed my time at Lamar and I want to thank Trey Clark for the opportunity he gave me to coach here. It has been joy to help build this program into what it is today."

Under Waru-Ewell's direction the Lamar men's cross country team has collected three straight championships, most recently winning the 2008 crown in record setting fashion on Monday morning. The women's team also won three straight titles from 2004-2006. Between cross county and track she has coached 27 individual conference champions, 67 all-conference performers, eight national qualifiers and two All-Americans.

A 2002 graduate of McNeese State, Waru ran collegiately for the Cowgirls, earning 17 individual titles in cross country, indoor and outdoor track and was a seven time SLC athlete of the year. She also represented New Zealand in the 2000 World Cross Country Meet in Villamoura, Portugal. She graduated from McNeese in 2002 with a degree in health and human performance.

"This is a great opportunity for her professionally," LU head track coach Trey Clark said. "She's worked very hard to help us achieve the level of success we've had over the last six years; and over the past six plus years I have seen her mature and grow as a coach to the point that she is today. I think this is just a natural next step for her and it's been a privilege to work side-by-side with her.

"We wish her all the success in the world that she could possibly enjoy at George Mason. We'll continue to follow and support her throughout her career. She'll always be a part of the Lamar family."