West Liberty University Athletics

    A former 5-time NCAA Division II All-American, Eric Laughlin is in his fifth season as head coach of West Liberty’s men’s and women’s cross-country teams. Laughlin replaced Hilltopper Hall of Famer Tim Weaver, who stepped down following the 2009-10 season. Laughlin served as Weaver’s assistant during that 2009-10 campaign.
    The 1989 graduate of Clarion (Pa.) Area High School, Laughlin went on to become one of the top runners ever at Slippery Rock (Pa.) University. He was a 3-time NCAA Division II All-American in cross country (1991-92-93) at “The Rock” and was honored as the 1992 PSAC Cross Country Runner of the Year. Laughlin earned NCAA Division II All-America honors on the track in 1992 and 1994 while competing in the 5,000-meter run. The 1994 PSAC Track and Field Athlete of the Year, his school-record time of 3:51.49 in the 1,500-meter run is still on the Slippery Rock books.
    After graduating from Slippery Rock in 1994, Laughlin began a coaching and teaching career at the high school level. His most extensive stint was an impressive 10-year run (2000-09) at Buckeye Local (Ohio) High School. He served as head coach for both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country programs, leading his Panther squads to six Ohio Valley Athletic Conference championships and five Ohio District titles before coming to West Liberty.
    The 42-year-old Laughlin remains a force to be reckoned with on the road racing circuit. He won the 2010 Tucson (Ariz.) Marathon and was the Masters champion in the 2011 Pittsburgh Marathon. Laughlin resides in Wintersville, Ohio with his son, Zachary.