Eric Putnam in his fifth year as head men's cross country coach had one of the greatest seasons in the history of Shawnee State athletics. The men finished a program high 4th place in a 32 team field at the NAIA championship. Their previous high was 11th in 2008. The men's team also finished a program high 3rd at the All-Ohio Championship and 2nd at the AMC championship. Corey Culbertson became the second runner in men's history to become an NAIA All-American finishing 24th place. This was the men's team 3rd appearance at the NAIA national championship in 5 years under Putnam.

 

During his fourth year at Shawnee State, Coach Putnam led the Bears to an 11th place finish in the 32 team field at the NAIA national championship.  Keegan Rathkamp became the first runner in men's team history to become and NAIA All-American finishing 10th place. This was the second time in four years that the men's team qualified to nationals with Putnam has head coach.  

 

During Putnam's five years as head cross country coach, the men have finished no less than 3rd in the AMC championship. They have also been ranked in the top 25 poll every one of those years.

 

Prior to joining Shawnee State, Putnam coached Chillicothe high school to a district championship in 2003 and a district runner-up finish in 2004.  Two Chillicothe runners qualified for the state championship meet in 2003.

 

Putnam served as assistant cross country and track coach at Xavier University from 2001 – 2003.  Both men and women’s cross country team enjoyed their most successful seasons during his tenure. 

 

Putnam also enjoyed a very successful collegiate running career at Ohio University.  From 1991 – 1996 he ran cross country and track and field, earning seven varsity letters.  He earned All-Mid American Conference honors seven times.  He was the individual MAC champion in the 1500 meter run in 1996 running 3:48.  He was co-MVP of the Ohio University track team in 1996 and was voted team captain three times.

Putnam established many accomplishments through his high school career at Chillicothe High School.  He was a four-time state individual qualifier in Division I, including a state runner-up finisher in 1989.  He was also a three-time state qualifier in track and field, including 4th inn the 1600 meter run and 5th in the 3200 meter relay in 1991. 

Putnam has been winning road races of various distances all over Ohio for more than a decade.  He was the 2005 Run Ohio Grand Prix Co-Champion in 2005 and the 2006 Huntington Half Marathon Champion with a time of 1:09:04. Putnam has also won the Shawnee State Bear run a record 10 times.

Putnam resides in Portsmouth with his wife, Krista and sons Charles and Ian.