BOULDER – University of Colorado cross country and track & field coach Mark Wetmore has announced the addition of Olympian, All-American and CU alum Billy Nelson to his staff as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

 “Billy will serve multiple functions for us,” Wetmore said. “His first official function will be to help us with recruiting. His secondary responsibility will be to assist coach (Heather) Burroughs and me with some of the distance and middle distance workouts. Third, he will serve as someone who is close enough to the age of the students on the team and the recruits to communicate in the same language.

“He’s been to the Olympics and the world championships and has run successfully on the international level, which is something I can’t bring to the relationship with our athletes. He raises the level of energy in any room he enters. It is a great move for both of us.”