EMORY, Va. - Emory & Henry College Head Men's & Women's Cross Country Coach Tom Antenucci has resigned to pursue a career outside of coaching, Director of Athletics Myra Sims announced Tuesday.  Antenucci, the first full-time cross country coach in program history, will complete his duties as the academic year comes to a close.

"I am sorry to see Tom leave us. He has done a good job recruiting quality student-athletes and leading our programs to new heights," said Sims. "Thanks to Tom's efforts, we now have solid programs that compete well within the ODAC. He is leaving both the men's and women's teams in a good place and has made it much easier for the next coach to lead the programs to even greater heights. We wish him well in his new endeavor."

Hired in 2012, Antenucci brought stability to both the men's & women's cross country teams and placed an emphasis on recruiting strong student-athletes that would ensure full teams for both programs. Prior to his arrival, the cross country position had been held by another member of the coaching staff on a part-time basis with consistent struggles to field scoring teams.

"I've really valued my time here at Emory & Henry and am very proud of the strides the program has made while I've been here," commented Antenucci. "I'm looking forward to watching the program and athletes continue to develop and move up the ranks of the ODAC."

Under Antenucci's tutelage, the programs immediately began their climb up the Old Dominion Athletic Conference ranks. The men finished fifth and the women were seventh at the ODAC Championships in 2014, both program bests. That year was highlighted by Meg Greene being tabbed to the All-ODAC Women's Cross Country Second Team, the first Wasp to receive all-league honors since 2006 and the first woman since 1992.

A national search for Emory & Henry's next Head Men's & Women's Cross Country Coach is currently underway. An announcement will be made as soon as the hire is official.

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-photo courtesy of Keith Lucas/Sideline Media