Pete Gratien
Pete Gratien was named head coach in June as part of a restructuring of leadership positions for Daemen College men’s and women’s cross country/track and field programs. He joined Judy Arlington, director of cross country/track and field, as co-leader of the programs. His rise to the head coaching position comes after spending time as a volunteer assistant coach, working primarily with the team’s sprinters during the 2018-19 season.
Gratien is a former NCAA Division II student-athlete at Le Moyne College, where he earned a degree in chemistry. A four-year member of Le Moyne’s cross country team, he was the top finisher in regional championship meets in 2005, 2006, and 2008. He was also named the 2016 Buffalo News Men’s Runner of the Year.
In addition to his volunteer work at Daemen, Gratien has served as the head girls cross country and track and field coach at Williamsville North High School for the last several seasons. Under his tutelage, the teams have seen a steady increase in roster numbers and competitiveness.