FAIRFAX, Va.-- George Mason head track and field coach Andrew Gerard completed his staff with the addition of Sacred Heart alum Sarana Hyatt. She will work with sprinters, jumpers and hurdlers at Mason.
"We're thrilled to have Coach Hyatt join us,” Gerard said. “ Her experience, first as an outstanding student-athlete, followed by great coaching results at LaSalle and Columbia, will be extremely valuable for our student-athletes. We were impressed with the depth of her understanding of training and the maturity of her outlook and philosophy. She'll be a great addition to our staff and a great resource for our student-athletes, even with a few years experience."
Hyatt joins the Patriots following a season at Columbia University, after two seasons La Salle. While with the Explorers, Hyatt helped coach an All-Conference performance in the men's 4x400 relay and 4X100 relay and coached Amber Jackson to a school record performance in the triple jump.
“I'd like to thank Athletic Director, Brad Edwards and Head Coach Andrew Gerard for this opportunity. I am excited to be part of an exemplary program that emanates excellence both academically and athletically,” Hyatt said. “I am looking forward to working with a staff with a wealth of knowledge and success in the sport of track and field. I look forward to aiding in the continued success of George Mason University Athletics.”
She began her coaching career as a member of the Columbia staff as a volunteer assistant coach in the summer of 2011.She was part of the staff involved in the 2012 Women's Indoor Heps Championship team, which was the first in program history.
As an accomplished collegiate pentathlete and heptathlete at Sacred Heart University, Hyatt competed from 2006-11. During that time, Hyatt was one of the most dominant pentathletes/heptathletes in the Northeast.
She was also part of the 2008 Outdoor Northeast Conference (NEC) Championship team, the first in program history while becoming the school record holder in the indoor pentathlon. During the 2011 outdoor season, Hyatt garnered All-NEC honors in the high jump and All-New England honors in the heptathlon. In 2008, she earned All-NEC recognition in the 4x400m relay, 100m hurdles and the long jump. In 2007, she earned All-New England honors as a heptathlete and All-NEC honors in the 400m hurdles, the 4x100m relay, and the 4x400m relay.
Hyatt received All-ECAC honors as an indoor pentathlete in 2008-09. She was All-NEC in indoor high jump, long jump, 55m high hurdles and 4x400m relay, and All-New England for the pentathlon for three straight years from 2006-09.
While at Sacred Heart, Hyatt earned a BS in Exercise Science in 2009, and later a MS in Exercise Science and Nutrition in 2011.
Hyatt procured her certificate as a USA Track and Field Level I Coach in 2011.
