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Carroll Departs Drake Track & Field For Position With The Boston Athletic Association

Boldon named acting director of cross country and track & field

Mark Carroll, the Drake University director of cross country and track & field, has resigned his position to accept a role with the Boston Athletic Association. Carroll, who joined the staff in June, 2017, announced his departure Monday, Nov. 18.

At the B.A.A., Carroll will serve as the head coach of the organization's High Performance team and mentor athletes to make international rosters and compete at the highest level in the world.

"I want to thank Coach Carroll for his work at Drake University directing our cross country and track & field programs," said Drake director of athletics Brian Hardin. "Under his leadership, we have seen the Bulldogs record some of their highest team finishes in a generation. His coaching has helped numerous student-athletes earn conference titles and all-conference accolades."

With Carroll's departure, Hardin announced that Blake Boldon, the Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays, will serve as acting director of cross country and track & field for the upcoming season. Jay Koloseus remains on staff as the acting cross country head coach and Asha Gibson has been elevated to become acting track & field head coach. A national search for Carroll's replacement will be conducted following the season.

"I am thankful that Blake Boldon has accepted the responsibility of guiding our cross country and track & field programs through this transition," Hardin said. "Blake's background and knowledge of the sport, combined with his experience as an athlete, coach and director of the Drake Relays, will allow him to serve as a tremendous resource for our coaching staff and student-athletes."

Boldon has previous head cross country coaching experience at the University of Pennsylvania, and served as an assistant coach at Iowa State and UAB, before transitioning to an administrative role as director of the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. He has overseen the Drake Relays for the past three years.

During Carroll's tenure, the Drake men's cross country team earned a second-place finish at the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2019 to record the program's best finish in 13 years. That success came on the heels of a 2019 outdoor season that saw the men's team record its highest point total at the MVC Championship since 2005. 

"I want to thank the Drake athletic department for the opportunity to direct and coach the team for the last two-and-a-half years," Carroll said. "It has been an honor to guide Drake student-athletes and I wish the team the very best in future endeavors. I look forward to following the Bulldogs in the future."
 
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