Accomplishments

In addition to inductees into the Men's and Women's Cross Country Hall-of-Fame, Phillips coached the first ever National Championships appearance by any Poet women's team (1994) and has received recognition as West Region Coach of the Year.  He has taught a variety of courses in Whittier's KLS department, served 12 years as the Director of Club Sports, and 11 years as the Head Track & Field Coach.  In 2010-12, Phillips was recognized by Whittier College as "Employee of the Division".  In addition to Head Cross Country Coach, he continues to train middle distance and distance runners on the track & field team.

     * Competed in cross country and track & field at the NCAA Div. I level

     * Earned Master's of Science Degree in Kinesiology, focusing on the biomechanical,          

        neuromuscular, and cardiovascular dynamics of both distance running and sprinting

     * Has coached 93 all-conference performances and 24 national qualifying performances in

        cross country, in addition to numerous more in track & field 

     * Continues to practice what he preaches as he can often be found running with members

        of the teams

2011

A young, improving men's team found freshman Marco Godinez leading Whittier finishers on three occasions.  Sophomore Hayden Schmidt earned all-conference recognition.  Transfer Nathaniel Smauley earned all-region recognition.  The men's 3-4 SCIAC record didn't adequately reflect the success of the season.  The Poets' women's team placed second in the conference and boasts a 12-2 record during the past two seasons.  Michele Callaway earned 1st team all-conference for the fourth consecutive year.  Joining Callaway as an all-conference member included Eva Aguilar and Adrianna Davidek.  In addition, five women were awarded all-region honors as the top five finishers on a nationally ranked team.  Academic accomplishments were equally impressive as the Lady Poets became an All-Academic team for a fourth consecutive year.

2010

Michele Callaway and Christine Verduzco were all-conference honorees and led a 7th ranked regional team to a 3rd place upset finish and qualification to the National Championships.  Callaway was the SCIAC Champion and earned All-American honors at the National Championships.  Joining Callaway and Verduzco on the All-Regional team included Jamie Slingluff, Molly Litherland, and Candace Wray.  Travis Airola led the men with an all-conference performance at the SCIAC Championships.