Coaches
Doug Yoder Image
Doug Yoder
Head Coach- 3rd Season

Doug Yoder begins his third season as the head track and field coach after completing his ninth season as head cross country coach this fall.

Yoder began coaching at the college level after 25 years of work in coaching track and cross country at Goshen High School. Yoder was an assistant boys' track coach from 1979-1990 and was the head girls' track coach for the Redskins from 1991-2003. Yoder added girls' head cross country responsibilities in 1992, a position he kept until the fall of 2004.

Yoder also directed the Goshen Relays track meet for six years and assisted in the process for seven years, while producing eight straight winning seasons in girls' cross country and qualifying his team for regional and semi-state competition in each of his last six years.

Yoder runs daily, and has participated in 40 marathons in the last 10 years. He has qualified and ran in the Boston Marathon three times, and said he enjoys running with his athletes during practices.

Yoder graduated from Goshen College in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in art. He completed his master's degree in art from Ball State University in 1984. He also performed graduate studies at the University of St. Francis and Indiana University. Yoder has two sons — Kyle, who graduated from Goshen College in 2005 and Adam, a 2007 GC grad. Doug lives with his wife, Vicki, in Goshen.

 
John Place
Assistant Coach- 12th Season

A decathlete while at Northern Iowa University, Place begins his 12th season at Goshen as an assistant track coach. Place's experiences at the NCAA Division I level offer a wealth of competitive and coaching knowledge to the staff. Place will work with vaulters and hurdlers this year.

John has been married to his wife Patricia for 21 years and they have two children, Stephen (19) and Tricia (16). Place is also the President of Ancon Construction in Goshen.

 
Deanna Kronk Image
Deanna Kronk
Assistant Coach- 4th Season

A 2009 Goshen College graduate, Kronk's name appears atop the Leafs record book in the discus, hammer throw, and weight throw.  She participated in six different NAIA National Championships, Kronk earned All American honors in 2008 in the weight throw.  She begins her fourth season on the Maple Leaf coaching staff in 2013.

 
Jim Whittaker Image
Jim Whittaker
Assistant Coach- 3rd Season

Jim Whittaker is in his third season overseeing the sprints, hurdles, and long jump for the Maple Leafs.  A 2005 graduate of Goshen College,  he competed for four years as a sprinter/hurdler where he participated in the NAIA national finals as a 110 meter high hurdler. 

He is certified by USA Track and Field as a Level 1 coach, and as a Level 2 coach in the jumping events.  He is also certified by the AFPA as a Sports Conditioning Specialist.  In 2012 he received a Master’s degree from Ohio University in Coaching Education.

 
Justin Gillette Image
Justin Gillette
Assistant Coach- 3rd Season

A four-time NAIA All American at Goshen College, Justin Gillette rejoined the cross country and track programs last season and is in his third season on the coaching staff in 2013.

Gillette holds seven of the fastest 20 8K times in program history as well as Goshen's track and field marathon record.  His four All American honors were earned on the track in the marathon (3) and the 5,000 meters.  He currently runs professionally for www.marathonguide.com and has coached individuals at both the high school and college level.

Justin has been married to Melissa for five years.  The couple have one child, Myles, and reside in Goshen.