PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania's James P. Tuppeny/Betty J. Costanza Director of Track & Field/Cross Country, Steve Dolan, announced the newest addition to his coaching staff on Wednesday, naming Chene Townsend the Rogers Family Assistant Track & Field Coach. Townsend will take the lead on women's sprints as well as men and women's hurdles.
 
"It's a real honor to welcome Chene Townsend to the Penn Track & Field Family," Dolan said. "Having competed at the Penn Relays in both high school and college, I know Chene is excited to call Franklin Field her home. An accomplished sprints and hurdles coach, it's going to be fun to watch Coach Townsend build on the rich history of Penn Track & Field in the years to come."
 
"I am very happy to be a part of the family at Penn," Townsend said. "I am excited to work with the amazing athletes and staff in continuing the great tradition of success within the track & field program."
 
Townsend joins the Quakers after a four-year stint at Division I Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa., where she worked primarily with sprints, hurdles and jumps. Through those four years, she mentored 10 Northeast Conference (NEC) champions, 25 All-NEC selections, a two-time NCAA East preliminary qualifier, and a first-team All-America. She also coached her student-athletes to 14 school records.
 
Prior to her time in Loretto, Townsend spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at West Virginia University, working primarily with hurdles and jumps. She also worked with the West Virginia Flyers club program, preparing and managing training programs for that program's athletes, and Morgantown (W.Va.) High School where she assisted with sessions for hurdles and jumps.  
 
A standout track athlete at West Virginia, Townsend earned Academic All-Big 12 second team honors and Big East Academic All-Star honors. She was also named to the Big 12 Commissioners' and Garrett Ford Honor Roll.
 
Townsend graduated with a Bachelors of Science in exercise physiology and a Masters of Science in athletic coaching education. She is certified in USOC Safe Sport and Level One USA Track and Field.