Under the direction of long-time coach Peter Thomas, a former Owl runner, Keene State College is recognized for producing some of the top men’s and women’s cross country and track athletes at the league, regional, and national level.

Now in his 29th season, Thomas, the recipient of multiple coach-of-the-year honors at both the Division II and III level, including LEC women's cross country coach of the year award last fall, is looking forward to another productive year on the trails and track for his highly-successful program that has developed a combined 48 cross country and 112 track All-Americas, including one cross country and 18 track national champions.

Last fall, the Keene State men's and women's cross country teams had two runners earn at-large NCAA berths with Paige Mills, who placed fifth, racing to All-Americans honors.  In 2009, the Owl men’s cross country team placed third at the New England regional meet and earned its first NCAA berth since 2005.  He has led the Owl men's team to a combined 16 NCAA championship berths, including nine consecutive trips (1997-2005) as a Division III member. His 1999 and 2000 teams were national runner-ups. KSC has also captured 11 Little East titles and four (1999-2002) New England regional crowns.

Thomas led the KSC women’s cross country team to its 11th consecutive LEC championship last fall. Under Thomas' direction Eric MacKnight and Mills were named LEC men's and women's runners of the year. The Owls finished fifth regionally and made their inaugural NCAA appearance in 2006.

Having earned a reputation as one of the top cross country coaches in Division III, Coach Thomas has now set his sights on developing a well-rounded and competitive track and field program at Keene State. He took a major step in that direction in 2002-03 by directing Mary Proulx and Mark Miller to their fifth and fourth national championships, respectively. The Keene State women have had a pair of fourth place finishes at the NCAA championship, indoors in 2006 and outdoors in 2008.

Keene State has continued to add to its list of All-America in recent years.  In 2009,  Keene State produced three track All-Americas, including Bryan Kolacz, the national champion in the hammer throw. Last season, the Owls produced eight All-Americas with Kolacz finishing seventh and second respectively in the weight throw and hammer, Amy Knoblock raced to third place finish in the mile and ran the anchor leg of the Owl DMR team that also finished third.  In additon, Glenn Guilmette was fifth in the javelin.  Kolacz and Knoblock were both slected as the LEC's indoor and outdoor field athlete and women's track runner of the year.

Needless to say, Coach Thomas, a New Ipswich, N.H., native has high hopes for both programs this year.