This summer we’ll be taking a look at some of the greats of Massachusetts Cross Country as we count down til the 2025 Season. We start with Oliver Ames legend, Andy Powell.
Before Owen Powell was tearing up the high school running world, there was another Powell who built a legendary career on the Massachusetts Cross Country Trails
Andy Powell, father of the current prep sensation, ran for Oliver Ames from 1995-1999 and was one of the premier distance runners in the country. The elder Powell would make his mark numerous times throughout his career, including one of the most famous Two-Mile duels in prep history against future Georgetown star Franklin Sanchez at the 1999 Indoor State Championships, where they both took down Alberto Salazar’s state record. Sanchez came from behind to win in 8:49 to Powell’s 8:50.
Out of all his state titles and national marks, one stands out above the rest. On a beautiful fall day in 1998 at the Eastern Mass XC Championships, Powell torched the Franklin Park Course for a new record of 14:52. Wrentham may be synonymous with Massachusetts XC now, but back then it was Franklin Park. That time would seem out of this world for future generations of harriers from the Baystate.
If you know any older runners, ask if they ran at Franklin Park. Or ask your coach. Then ask what a good time a Franklin Park was. Then ask how fast sub 15 is at Franklin Park is.
That mark stood until the 2023 Foot Locker Northeast Championships where Ryan Pajak of Pennsylvania and now Notre Dame, won in a time of 14:50.6. For reference, Paul Bergeron of Westford Academy at the time, placed third in 15:01. The same Paul Bergeron that holds the state Two-Mile record of 8:39.
Andy Powell went on to graduate from Stanford in 2004 where he was a member of their 2000 NCAA Track Championship team. After dealing with numerous injuries, his collegiate career never reached the same heights as his high school days. How does one transcend their star status as a runner? Become one of the best coaches in the world.
Today, if you know the name Andy Powell, you know him as a coach.
Powell spent 2005-2018 at the University of Oregon rising from Assistant Coach for the Men’s distance runners to Associate Head Coach for the Men’s and Women’s teams. Now he is the head Men’s Coach at the University of Washington.
Through 2025, Powell has coached six consecutive NCAA titles in the Mile and 1500m (between Joe Waskom, Luke Houser, and Nathan Green).
In five years, 14 different Huskies have broken four minutes in the mile, and dating back to his time at Oregon, seven of the past 14 1500m champions have been coached by Powell.
While both Powell’s stories are still being written, the elder’s is a story of perseverance and dedication. The Baystate has had its fair share of amazing runners over the years. You can watch Andy Powell continue his journey this fall as the Huskies start their 2025 campaign, where he will guide his son Owen.
