Patrick Peterson - Track and Field Coach

Patrick Peterson

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
patrickp@iastate.edu

Patrick Peterson returned to Ames as an assistant coach for the cross country and track programs in 2024 after running collegiately for Iowa State from 2013-15. Prior to the 2026 XC season, Peterson was promoted to the associate men’s head coach.

His Cyclone career started off strong as the ISU cross country squad ran to an NCAA runner-up finish in 2024. On the track in 2025, Peterson helped guide two to First Team All-America as Joash Ruto took fourth in the steeple and Rodgers Kiplimo placed fourth in the 10,000m at NCAA Championships.

In 2026, Ruto again earned First Team All-America in the steeple, while Makayla Cark and freshman Jailan Sohna earned All-America honors in the 800m. Clark took down the 1990 outdoor 800m school record with 2:00.29 to place 10th, and Sohna became the first Cyclone freshman since 1984 to qualify for the men’s 800m at nationals.

Peterson previously worked as an assistant coach as Eastern Kentucky and UConn.

Peterson joined the Cyclones following two seasons at EKU where he primarily worked with middle distance and distance runners while also serving as the recruiting coordinator and the head of alumni relations. While in Richmond, Peterson saw 16 NCAA First Round qualifiers and seven NCAA Finals qualifiers in track. He also assisted with an NCAA cross country automatic qualifying team.

At UConn, Peterson recruited and assisted all track events, focusing mostly on long sprints, middle and long distances. In Storrs, he helped coach an NCAA Honorable Mention All-American in the men's 5K as well as six other NCAA First Round qualifiers.

Peterson ran middle distance at Iowa State, primarily in the 800-meter. In 2015 Peterson helped set a then-school record in the distance medley relay as the squad took bronze at NCAA Indoor Championships. Peterson also advanced to the 800-meter semifinals at NCAA West Prelims and notched two All-Big 12 honors in the event.