Mike joins the Jumbo coaching staff this fall after one of the most accomplished distance running careers in NESCAC history. In his senior year, the six-time All American set NESCAC records and top 10 all-time marks in the 5,000m and 10,000m, the latter a national leading time of 29:23. (He’s actually the second Jumbo coach to bring in a list-leading 10k mark, as Dan Murner’s 29:45 was the nation’s best in 2010.) But even more than being a perennial national contender—not to mention the most dominant distance runner in the region—Schmidt is most proud leading Middlebury to their first-ever NESCAC XC team title, qualifying twice for NCAAs as a team, and anchoring the school’s first national-qualifying DMR.

Originally from Evanston, IL, Mike has spent summers coaching the cross country team at New Trier High School, his alma mater, and worked with the Illinois 3A state champion and four other All State runners. As a Panther he majored in Psychology and Film & Media Studies and had the Men’s Cross Country MVP award renamed in his honor. Together, Mike and fellow Midd alums-turned-Tufts coaches Ethan Barron and Kevin Bright make up over 40% of all Panther All American honors.