Frank Mencin covered every aspect of the sport: running, coaching, he did it all. An alumnus of Western State College (now Western Colorado University), Frank made history in 1973 by becoming the school’s first All-American runner with a 12th-place finish at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships. A versatile competitor in track and Nordic skiing, he transitioned into an elite marathoner post-college, clocking a 2:20:14 at the 1978 Nike-OTC Marathon to qualify for the 1980 Olympic Trials

Frank’s coaching career was equally storied, beginning in Leadville in 1976 before moving to Lake County High School, where he led the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams to a combined 14 state championships between 1980 and 1990. Even during a 1982 sabbatical, he demonstrated championship leadership by guiding the WCU men’s team to their first RMAC title, earning Coach of the Season honors. 

A 1992 nomination for National High School Cross Country Coach of the Year shows that Frank was a leader even among leaders. He moved into school administration, serving as Principal of Frisco Elementary (1991-1999) and later Summit High School (1999-2005).