Letiwe Patton

Letiwe Patton was appointed the assistant men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country coach in the summer of 2012.

Patton comes to San Jose State after coaching two seasons of cross country and track at Seattle Pacific University. She spent the 2011 season as the assistant coach after serving as interim head coach for the men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country and track teams in 2010.

Her coaching career began as a graduate assistant track and cross country coach for the University of Idaho from 2005-07. During that time Idaho won two women[apos]s cross country Western Athletic Conference Championships (2005, 2007) and had two Individual WAC champions (2005, 2006).

Patton participated in cross country and track at the University of Idaho from 2002-04. She was the Big West Conference women[apos]s cross country champion and Athlete of the Year in 2002. In track, she was an All-American in the 3,000 meter steeplechase placing fourth at the 2003 NCAA Championships.

Patton graduated from Idaho with bachelor[apos]s degree in business in 2004. In 2007, she earned her master[apos]s degree from Idaho in science recreation.

A member of the Zimbabwe National Track Team beginning in 1994, she holds Zimbabwe[apos]s national record for fastest 3,000-meter steeplechase at 9:52.98. She was an International Association of Athletics Federations world cross country championship participant from 1994-96 and an All-Africa Games participant in 1995.

Patton is currently a committee member of the Zimbabwe Athletic Association responsible for selecting top athletes to represent the nation in international competition.

Letiwe, born in Dorowa, Zimbabwe, now calls San Jose, Calif., home along with husband Kyle.