Veteran coach Al Petz returns as the Blue Dragons’ assistant cross country and assistant track and field coach for the 2023-24 season.

After two seasons away from the program, Al Petz returned as the Blue Dragon assistant cross country coach before the 2022 cross country season.

Petz returned to the Blue Dragons at a great time as the Hutchinson women’s program had its best season as a Division I program by winning the Region VI and Jayhawk West championships and finishing fourth at the NJCAA Division I Championship – the program’s highest Division I finish in its history. The team produced one NJCAA All-American (Serenity Larson) and two coaches All-Americans (Gracie Lambert and Taylor Hokinson).

During his first six seasons with the Blue Dragons, Petz was part of a huge upsurge with the Hutchinson cross country programs.

The 2019 Blue Dragon cross country season proved an impressive one as the men’s team finished as both Region VI and Jayhawk West runners-up and a seventh-place finish at the NJCAA championships. Andrew Kibet and Silvestre Kibarar both earned first-team All-America honors, finishing fourth and fifth in nationals, respectively. The women’s team was the 2019 Jayhawk West runner-up.

The 2018 season marked the most successful season since joining the Blue Dragons.

The Hutchinson men won the Jayhawk West and Region VI team championships and Kibet won the NJCAA individual national championship. Also, the Blue Dragon women were nationally ranked throughout the season. Combined, both the men’s and women’s teams had six All-Americans.

The 2020-21 season marked the 45th year in education and coaching at the middle school, high school and college levels. Petz has coached football, volleyball, basketball and track as both a head and assistant coach.

As a runner, Petz was part of a pair of state championship teams in 1966 and 1967 at Ellinwood. He was part of EHS school records in the 800, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay. In college at Barton County, Petz held the Cougar 880 record and was part of a 4x400 relay national qualifying team. Running for Bethany College, he held the Swedes’ record in the 880 and 4x400 relay.

Petz graduated from Ellinwood High School in 1969, from Barton County Community College in 1971 and Bethany College in 1974. Petz earned his Master’s degree from Emporia State University in 1990.

Petz and his wife, Kathy, have two children Heather and Adam. The couple also has five grandchildren – Lauren, Jenna, Ellie, Madison and Mason.