The interviews are done and the decision is narrowed down to two possible candidates for the new assistant coach for the track and cross country teams.

According to Matt Feldhake, an Eastern cross country athlete, candidates Micah Vandenend and Erin Howarth have each been interviewed and have met with the athletes.

“They both bring something different to the table but are both great coaches and are more than qualified,” said Feldhake.

Howarth, a former standout at Butler University, was an assistant coach at her alma mater for two years before taking an assistant coaching position at the University of New Mexico in the summer of 2007.

There she spent three years as an assistant coach, according to the University of New Mexico’s website.

Vandenend, a former track and cross country athlete at Iowa, was a Big Ten Conference champion in 2007 and the 2006 NCAA Midwest Region cross country champion.

He was a volunteer assistant coach at Wisconsin for a year.

He then returned to his alma mater for a year.

Head Coach Tom Akers declined to comment, but he did indicate that the decision will be made by next week. At that time, Coach Akers and Athletic Director Barbara Burke will make a formal announcement.

“In this particular case, because it was an assistant coach position, the head coach chairs the search committee, they review the applicant pool, pare down the pool based upon credentials and submit recommendations to me for review,” Burke said.

Burke also said she meets with the head coach to help bring closure to the hiring process.

“A new coach will have a great affect on the upcoming season for many reasons. It will be mentally great having someone there,” Feldhake said. “Over the past few months we have had interim type (coaches), but nothing permanent. Also making an adjustment to the new training will impact the season.”

Rob Warren can be reached at 581-7942 or at denphotodesk@gmail.com.