Washington & Jefferson College Athletics

Paul Collier, a recent graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, joined his alma mater as Intern Assistant Coach for the Cross Country and Track & Field programs in August of 2023. 

Collier aided the efforts of the Presidents in the 2023-24 season. He helped coach Claire Anderson and Cassie Carr to qualification in the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships. It marked the first time that two W&J women's runners qualified for the same NCAA Cross Country Championship event. Anderson then tacked on an appearance in the 2024 NCAA D-III Indoor Track & Field Championships, as she participated in the Mile Run. Anderson put together a time of 4:59.04 at the Tufts Final Qualifier a week early, the first sub five-minute mile by a W&J women's runner in the event.

During his time as a student-athlete, Collier excelled both in the classroom and in competition during his time in the Red and Black. 

Earlier this year, Collier served as a team captain as the Presidents captured their first-ever PAC Men's Indoor Track & Field Championship. Collier was a captain for both cross country and track & field during both his junior and senior seasons. 

As a sophomore, he captured an individual title in the 10K with a time of 34:29.30 at the 2021 PAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships. For his efforts, Collier earned All-PAC First Team honors. 

He twice earned All-PAC honors as a member of the W&J cross country program. Collier claimed PAC Newcomer of the Year honors as a freshman when he finished in sixth place and All-PAC First Team status at the 2019 PAC Championships. Collier added a 12th place finish and All-PAC Second Team honors at the PAC Championships his sophomore season. 

Academically, he earned a spot on the Deans List in each of his eight semesters. Collier claimed both the John Livingston Lowes Prize in English and the James W. Gargano Memorial Prize for Best Capstone Essay in English. 

Collier graduated with a bachelor's degree in English - Creative Writing in May 2023. He finished as a Salutatorian with a 3.99 cumulative grade-point average.