Email Address: chesnetd@whitman.edu
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Balancing scholastics and athletics is nothing new for Chesney. He was a cross country team captain and three-time state qualifier at Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, S. Dakota, as well as a three-year varsity runner at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Although Chesney has never worked as a track or cross country coach, he has been a frequent volunteer with several programs. He helped at Florida State University, for example, while he was in graduate school.
As a Whitman assistant coach, Chesney hopes to gain a better understanding of his students by spending time running with them. "As a former NCAA Div. III runner, I value the student-athlete experience a great deal," he said. "Coaches see a side of students that instructors often do not. I like to see both sides."
Chesney also hopes to give something of himself to the runners. "I'd like to contribute some insight and wisdom from an older runner, a lot of support when the load gets heavier, some good stories from my own hey-day, and an occasional push from the 'old man' at the back of the pack during work-outs," he said.
Chesney wants to help with the track team next spring as well. "As long as my legs and lungs will take it, they're stuck with me."
Chesney has a bachelor's degree in Spanish from Washington University, a master's degree in creative writing from Mankato State University, and a doctoral degree in English literature from Florida State.
Given his well-rounded, liberal arts education, it's not surprising that when Chesney closes his Caribbean Literature books each afternoon, he exchanges his slacks and loafers for shorts and running shoes, and hits the streets running.