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In his third season as head women's cross country coach, Eric Putnam
lead Shawnee State to their most successful season as the
Bears qualified to the NAIA National meet as a team for the first
time. The team finished 13th place out of the 32 team field. Lisa
Davies placed 17th to earn All-American honors for the second
straight year. Star Emmert placed 27th to earn All-American honors
for the second time. In addition to the success on the field, the
women's team also had 4 academic All-Americans. 
In his first two seasons as coach at Shawnee State, the women's team
has placed 5th in the AMC in 2006, 4th in 2007 and a program high,
third place this past season.
Prior to joining Shawnee State, Putnam was the head Cross Country
coach at Chillicothe high school for two seasons. Putnam led
Chillicothe 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 at various distances all over Ohio for more than a
decade. He was the Run Ohio Grand Prix Champion in 2005-2007 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 now reside in
Portsmouth with his wife, Krista. They had their first child,
Charles in May 2006. |
