SAN FRANCISCO – Head of the San Francisco track & field and cross country programs, Helen Lehman-Winters secured a five-year contract extension through 2021, USF Director of Athletics Scott Sidwell announced today.

In 13 years at the helm of the program, Lehman-Winters has transformed the USF into a regional powerhouse and nationally-recognized program. The seven-time West Coast Conference cross country coach of the year (WXC: 2004, '09, '10, '11, '12; MXC: '05, '10), has coached an impressive list of 43 All-WCC performers and eight All-Americans during her tenure.

"In her 13 year association with USF Helen has established herself as one of the top cross country and track and field coaches in the nation," noted Sidwell. "The student-athletes within her programs consistently compete on the highest levels within the West Coast Conference and nationally while at the same time uphold USF's high academic standards. I'm confident our cross country and track and field programs will continue to thrive under Helen's leadership."

"I am so thankful that I get to come to work every day and do what I love to do at the 'University of the Best City Ever'," said Lehman-Winters. "I am grateful for the support that Scott has given to our program, and I very much appreciate that he too believes we can compete at the highest level. I am very excited for what the future holds as we currently have a phenomenal group of student-athletes and staff who are extremely motivated and driven to achieve and represent our university on all four pillars."

The women's cross country program won an unprecedented five consecutive WCC titles under Lehman-Winters' tutelage from 2009 to '13, and have earned berths in the NCAA Championships on three occasions. In 2013, her women's cross country team climbed to as high as 10th in the United States Track and Field Cross Country Coaches Association top 25 poll and the squad finished 18th in the NCAA Championships, the best mark in program history. On the men's side, the USF is riding a streak of three consecutive seasons with an individual qualifier at the national meet. Uniquely, each year has seen a different man make the field, a rarity in the sport.

Since Lehman-Winters took over the program, nearly every track and field school record has fallen, including seven new school-bests this season. USF's most recent All-American came in 2014, when Jana Soethout finished eighth in the 10,000 meters at the NCAA Championships. Currently, the Dons are in the midst of another successful season, sending seven athletes to the NCAA Preliminary Championships next weekend.