Third-year coach Jed Christiansen came to Thiel after four very successful years as a student-athlete at Calvin College. As a member of the Knights' cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams, he was an eight-time All-American, including one of only 14 four-time Division III Cross Country All-Americans. Christiansen helped lead the cross country team to a national championship in 2006. His accomplishments also include individual school records in all three sports, as well as Regional Runner of the Year honors.
Christiansen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in K-12 Physical Education and a minor in Health. He was the recipient of the Albert H. Deal Scholar-Athlete Award, which recognized him as the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association's senior class athlete who excelled in academics and athletics while displaying outstanding leadership qualities. He also received the Bere Memorial Award honoring Calvin's top senior male student-athlete.
While finishing his studies at Calvin, Christiansen was a track and field student coach and a cross country recruiter. Christiansen has 22 years of running experience and is still a very active runner, racing for his club team Playmakers Racing. Most recently, Coach Christiansen finished 61st at the Olympic trials held in January 2012.
