Monique Henderson named Head Coach of Women's Cross Country and Women's Track & Field

Huntington Beach, Calif. – Monique Henderson, a 2 time Olympic Gold Medalist, has been named the head coach of Golden West's women's cross country and Track & Field program, Albert Gasparian, Athletic Director announced Monday.

"I am excited to announce Monique Henderson as the new women's head coach for Golden West College," said Gasparian.  "Her expertise and enthusiasm will have an immediate impact on not only the Track and Cross Country programs but the entire GWC Athletic Department.  We are truly excited to have a coach of Monique's caliber on board."

Henderson is slated to head both women's programs at Golden West, while Matt Simpson will be the head coach on the men's side.

Henderson started her collegiate coaching career with San Diego Mesa College, serving as an assistant before taking over the head coaching duties at Golden West College.

As an assistant coach at San Diego Mesa College, Henderson's athletes contributed greatly to the men's 5 consecutive PCAC conference team titles, 2011-2015, and women's 3 consecutive PCAC conference titles, 2012-2014.  In 2013 Henderson coached the state leader in the men's 400m and also coached the state championship runner-up in the 200m.  At the 2014 PCAC championships, Henderson's female sprinters won both relays as well as individual titles.  At the 2015 PCAC championships the women's team finished second amassing 179 points.

"I am thankful for this opportunity," Henderson said. "I am excited to work with the Golden West College family and continue to build the program into a championship contender.  I look forward to continuing and building upon the tradition that Golden West Athletics has established over the years."

Henderson prepped at Morse High School in San Diego '01. She is the only 4-time 400 meters California State Champion in the state's history from 1998–2001.  At age 17, she set a US junior class, as well as, high school national record at 50.74 in the 400 m at the CIF California State Meet. In 2000, she became the first high school athlete to make the US Olympic track & field team since 1976. That year, Track and Field News named her the Girls National High School Athlete of the Year.  Her section, state, and national scholastic records in the 400m still stand today. Henderson attended UCLA and won 9 conference titles in the 200m and 400m, an NCAA Championship in the 400m, and earned an Olympic Gold Medal as part of the 4x400m.  After graduating from UCLA, she made her third Olympic team in 2008 as part of the 4x400m and earned her second Gold Medal.  Her best times are 49.96 in the 400m and 22.71 in the 200m.

Monique was born and raised in San Diego and was recently inducted into the San Diego Breibard Hall of Fame as the youngest recipient.

A 2007 graduate of UCLA, Henderson was a four-year letter winner in track & field for the Bruins

Henderson received her master's degree in Kinesiology and her BA in Sociology and has her USAT&F Level 1 Coaching Certification.