Meet Coach Joey Bender
Coach Joey Bender has served as the head coach for the Northfield High School Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams since 2021. Recognized as a multi-time DPS Coach of the Year across both cross country and track & field, he has led both Northfield programs to historic high marks at the state championships, including top-10 state finishes for the women’s cross country team, a third-place state finish for women’s track & field, and a state runner-up finish for the men’s program.
Coach Bender brings nearly a decade of cross country and track & field coaching experience to Northfield, including collegiate experience at Adams State University. Prior to joining Northfield, he served as head coach at Denver West, leading the Cowboys to their first track & field league title in over a century and following it up with a state runner-up performance. Throughout his career, he has coached individual state champions across multiple events as well as a Nike Cross Nationals qualifier.
A former cross country and track athlete for Metropolitan State University of Denver and Adams State University, Coach Bender holds a Master’s degree in Applied Sport Psychology.
Contact Coach Bender at joseph_bender@dpsk12.net.
In my 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