By Justin James
Assistant coach Christian Archibald or “Coach Chris” is in his second year as a member of the Nebraska-Kearney track and field coaching staff.
The former Loper looks to lead the horizontal jumps in 2016-17. He was a volunteer assistant in 2015-16, helping head assistant Ross Fellows in the jumps, sprints and multi-events.
He looks to take the Lopers “jump squad” into a new spring season.
What makes Assistant Coach Archibald qualified enough to teach the current Lopers how to jump? Well, being a former graduate of the system, Archibald has literally been in their shoes before and knows how the process feels, not being that far removed from the team himself. ”I wanted to start coaching because I walked this same road before, and I know exactly how you guys feel and what it takes,” Archibald said in a recent interview. “The hardest thing is just trusting the process and believing in yourself everyday.”
A native of Castle Rock, Colorado, Archibald competed for UNK from 2012-15. Specializing in sprints and horizontal jumps, he took part in three MIAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships and one RMAC (Rocky Mountain Athletic Conf.) Indoor Championship. Chris looks to continue to help the Lopers jump squad grow and have a major impact going into outdoor season after spring break.
A brief background of Christian Archibald:
As a senior in high school, Archibald was a Class 5A medalist in the long jump in the state of Colorado.
Archibald started off his Loper career as a freshman (2011-12), running a 7.20 at 60 meters, went 22-1.50 in the long jump during indoors and competed at RMAC’s in the 55 dash and long jump. Then, in the spring, he went 21-6 in the long jump at the Bronco Relays.
As a sophomore (2012-13), Archibald took part in the Lopers 4 x 1 relay team that placed sixth (41.97) at the MIAA outdoor meet and also competed in the long jump (22-8) at conference, while also running an 11.02 (100 meters) at the Alex Francis Classic. During the winter, he went 21-10 in the long jump at MIAA’s and started the year with a season-best leap of 44-2.5 in the triple at the UNK Pre-Holiday meet.
As a junior (2013-14), Archibald ran the 4×1 relay with the team placing a sixth place time (41.61) at the MIAA outdoor meet. He was also 10th in the triple jump (45-5.25) and ran a 10.86 in the 100 at the Doane Relays. He twice jumped 21-9 in the long jump and during indoors, placed fourteenth in the triple (43-6.50) and long jump (21-4.75) at the league championships. Archibald ran a 7.04 in the 60 meter dash during the prelims rounds and a top time of 7.01 which came at Concordia also went 44-4.75 in the triple at the UNK Pre-Holiday Meet.
Finally entering his senior year and final collegiate season as a competitive Loper,
Christian Archibald had a special place in the university’s track program, having the 10th fastest time in UNK history running during the Indoor season, timing a 7.01 in 60 Meters (10th).
