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James Dennis Hometown: Bedford Heights, Ohio Position: Asst. Coach/Throws Experience: 1st year Alma Mater: Louisville '01

James Dennis is in his first year as an assistant coach with the Louisville men's track and field team after volunteering his services the past few years in between his own personal competitions. He will primarily coach the throwers.

Under the tutelage of former throws coach Damien Kalvar, the Cardinal throwers have evolved into a solid group the past few years and Dennis has helped make that happen. When he wasn't competing across the country in national meets, Dennis was working with the U of L throwers.

The past three years, the Cardinals have had six scorers in the discus event at the Conference USA Championship, including a pair of runner-up finishes by John Wawrysh in 2001 and 2002. Last year, Arthur Turland hit NCAA regional qualifying marks four times in just his freshman season, while the Cardinals placed two in the top-six at the C-USA meet.

Dennis, one of the top throwers in school history, still holds records in the discus and shot put, including the top 10 marks all-time in the discus.

During his highly decorated career, Dennis earned All-America status twice in the discus. In 1997, he finished fourth overall at the NCAA Championships and in 1999 he placed eighth. Dennis won the Conference USA title in the event in 1998 and placed 12th at the NCAA's.

In 1999, Dennis finished seventh in the discus at the USATF National Championships in Eugene, Ore. He was ranked eighth nationally by Track & Field News that year and qualified for the 2000 Olympic Trials, where he placed 12th. Dennis was the only collegian in his senior year to have qualified for the NCAA and U.S. National Championships in the discus three consecutive years.

The Bedford Heights, Ohio, native is currently training for the 2004 Olympic Trials and should contend for a spot on the U.S. team.

Dennis, who also played defensive end for the Cardinal football team during his career, graduated from U of L in 2001.