FM athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Nate Bartman as the new men's and women's cross country coach. Coach Bartman is a graduate of Amsterdam High School and earned his Bachelor's Degree in Sport and Exercise Science from Ithaca College. Bartman also holds a Master's Degree in Exercise Science from Syracuse University and was an intern with the Sport Institute of Finland in Vierumaki, Findland. He is currently a Lab Technician and Adjunct Professor in FM's science department.
Coach Bartman ran for Stu Palczak and Gary Cudmore at Amsterdam High School. His hard work paid off in 2007, when he ran for Ithaca College under Jim Nichols. In 2007, Bartman qualified for the track and field, Division III 10K.
Nate's coaching dates back to his time in Findland, where he assisted in the coaching of middle school and high school athletes from around the region. Bartman has since focused on personal training, working with athletes and non-athletes on their specific fitness goals. He is eager to return the sport of running and create a growing, accomplished cross country team at FM.
"I love running and am excited to work with athletes to help them achieve their individual goals and provide them with every opportunity possible to get there. On a broader scale, I am looking forward to building a team with a culture of leadership and accomplishment, on and off the cross country course. We have some very excited student athletes, both returning and new, that are looking for some great training and racing opportunities, and I am excited to give these athletes the tools they need to be successful, as well as to create a high-performing team. I think we have some really good opportunities this season in our competition schedule to show the rest of the league that we mean business. Along the way we're going to really enjoy creating a team of culture, performance, and tradition," stated Bartman.
The Raiders will start their 2018 season on September 1st when they travel to SUNY Poly to run in the Wildcat Short Course Invitational.