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Meet Coach Bender
The 2023-24 School Year marks Northfield High School Coach Joey Bender’s third year as the head coach for the Nighthawk Men’s and Women’s Cross Country team. Bender was named DPS Coach of the Year in three of his four seasons – two recognitions for cross country and one for track & field. He led both Northfield programs to top performances in school history at the state championships, including placement within the top 10 for women’s cross country two times, third place for women’s track & field, and second place for the Men’s.
Coach Bender has nine years of cross country and track and field coaching experience, including a year at Adams State University. In his first year as the head coach of Denver West, he led the Cowboys to their first track and field league title in more than a century. The following year, the school repeated league placement and finished runner-up at the state championship. Bender has coached state champions in multiple events, including cross country and a Nike Cross Nationals qualifier.
Bender ran cross country and track for Metro State University Denver and Adams State University, and holds a masters degree in Applied Sport Psychology.
In my short time at Northfield, I have had more fun coaching than ever before and couldn’t have imagined a better fit. I look forward to creating and continuing relationships with the team and helping to continue to build a program that leaves a legacy extending far beyond running while teaching life values. Northfield is starting to show they can be a powerhouse in the state and is a program kids want to come out for! – Coach Joey Bender
Go Nighthawks!