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Anderson has also coached individual state champions in 2011 (Garrett Seawell – Woodward Park course record holder), 2012 Matt Airola (2013 1500m state champion and school record holder – 3:45.80, 2nd in the 800m at 1:49.70), and 2013 (Luis Luna – ran 13:54 5k at Eastern Kentucky). Will Reyes, who went on to be Chico State’s #1 runner, was another runner coached by Coach Anderson who went from a non-qualifier in high school cross country to the school record holder in the 5k (14:27) and 10k (29:52) at American River. Coach Anderson was also California Community College Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2004, 2006, 2011, 2013, and 2015. He also received the 2011 Community College Track & Field Coach of the Year. Coach Rick Anderson was a 1982 graduate of Cordova High School, lettering in cross country all three seasons. He was also the Metro League mile and two-mile champion his senior season for the Lancers. Upon graduation, he competed at American River College in Cross Country and Track & Field for one season in each sport before enlisting in the US Navy for six years. In 1993, he enrolled once again at American River College. After two semesters of only academics, he competed in Track & Field specializing in the Decathlon (8th in Northern California) and 3000 meter steeplechase. During that semester he also received the "Pepsi Scholar Athlete of the Year" award and was voted captain of his track team. During the following Cross Country season he was again voted team captain for the Bay Valley Conference Champion Beavers. During the process of attaining his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at California State University, Sacramento, he joined the coaching staff as an assistant as well as assisting in coaching the men's and women's track & field teams. His bachelor’s degree is in Physical Education – Teaching and his Master’s Degree is in Kinesiology – Sport Performance (Cum Laude). In 1995, Coach Anderson was hired as the Head Coach for the Men's Cross Country team, and in 2001 was hired full-time as the Head Men's Cross Country Coach, Assistant Track & Field Coach, and Physical Education Instructor. He took over the Head Men’s Track & Field position in January of 2002. He has also served as the California Community College Cross Country and Track & Field Coaches Association President from 2005-2009.