LAKEWOOD, CO - For most track and field or cross country athletes, running is about the intersection between chasing personal goals and being part of an uplifting team. For lots of runners, it evolves into a calling that not only shapes character and develops discipline, but strengthens their faith. For CCU graduate turned coach, Josh Pierantoni, it is the avenue in which he has learned commitment, built community, and deepened his walk with Christ.

Raised in Casper Wyoming, Pierantoni began running to follow in his brother's footsteps and have fun with his friends. He continued to run throughout high school but at the beginning of his senior year started to take training more seriously:

"I realized that if I wanted to run in college, I was going to have to get a lot better".

Running quickly developed into the passion that pushed him to enter his collegiate career at Colorado Christian University. Because Pierantoni's older brother ran for CCU, he already knew about the tight-knit team culture and great coaches before committing. These factors helped solidify his decision to join the team. Pierantoni did not attend a Christian high school but he did have Christian coaches and friends. That level of fellowship reached a new level at CCU, where his faith was deepened in many ways.

"We'd go out for a run thinking it would just be a normal training day," Pierantoni shared. "Then we'd start talking about what someone learned in their New Testament class. Those small faith-based conversations really stacked up over six years and made a huge impact on my faith". CCU's coaching staff emphasizes holistic development, helping athletes grow not only in athletic performance but in Christ. "Our main goal," Pierantoni explained, "is to help athletes grow in their faith, to know what they believe and why they believe it, and to have the spark to share that with others".

As both athlete and coach, he sees running as a powerful metaphor for one's spiritual journey.

"Running is the closest thing you can get to a one-to-one return on the work that you put in," he said. "It's about being consistent in pursuit, even when it doesn't feel easy. That's how you grow closer to the Lord."

Reflecting on his time as a CCU athlete, Pierantoni has one stand out memory in particular:

"I think one of the things that maybe went a little overlooked, was this period of time when I was on the team, between my senior and my fifth year, where it was kind of a hard time progressively for the team. We were progressing a ton up until my senior year, and we had a big race out in Florida at a national competition where our big goal was to get on the podium nationally, which is a top four finish. We were doing it for 9000 meters of the 10,000 meter race."

Pierantoni describes the moment when his best friend and teammate, Trent Cochran, came down with heatstroke with about 800 meters to go, dropping from 12th in the race to 200th. Of course, the team did not meet their goal of a top 4 finish and ended up in 10th place. After that race, the team struggled with confidence and being willing to put themselves out there during races. But, the next year they found themselves back at the nationals race, this time in Seattle, with the same goal to make the podium. This race is what Pierantoni calls the highlight of his career. The team ran great, and ended up placing third. Pierantoni reflects on the moment saying,

"We got this awesome trophy, which is still over in coach Poag's office, and it was just a cool moment of redemption and comeback".

When asked what sets CCU apart, Pierantoni replied that the university proudly represents Christ through athletics.

"At CCU, you literally wear 'Christian' on your chest. That means you can't hide from it—you are representing something bigger than yourself."

Pierantoni represented this label proudly during his time on the track and cross country teams. Between covid and an injury year Pierantoni was able to extend his time at CCU:

"I had enough eligibility to stay on the team and compete for six years, finishing a master's degree on top of my bachelor's".

After completing his MBA, Pierantoni began working in financial planning, a job that he loved. Initially, he saw himself sticking with the position for the long run. Yet, the desire to coach was stirring in his heart. When a coaching position opened up at CCU, Pierantoni knew that he had to take advantage of the opportunity. He took it, and never looked back. In reference to the quick shift Pierantoni said, "I like having a plan, but I knew this was where the Lord wanted me. It's where my skills and passions align to make the biggest impact for the Kingdom".

As he was just in his athletes' shoes one short year ago, Pierantoni uses his status as a young coach to his advantage.

"I've done every workout they've done. That makes me relatable—and along with Coach Verbal, we have a lot of energy to give to our team".

When asked about the legacy he wants to leave behind, Pierantoni's response was straightforward: "It is all about finding joy in the sport. I think that at the end of the day, it's a gift and a blessing to be able to do that".

About the Cougars The Colorado Christian Cougars athletic department represents Colorado Christian University in NCAA Division II sports as a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The department fields teams in sports such as basketball, soccer, golf, cross country, softball, and volleyball, emphasizing both athletic excellence and Christian values. With a focus on developing student-athletes spiritually, academically, and athletically, the Cougars strive to compete with integrity and purpose

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