Nate Garcia '00

Biography

Nathan Garcia enters his 19th season leading the UC San Diego men's and women's cross country programs in 2025. In 18 years at the helm, Garcia has guided his alma mater to seven NCAA Championship appearances between individual and team qualifiers, while also coaching and developing several All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and NCAA All-West Region honorees. He has also successfully led the Tritons into the NCAA Division I era, first competing as a member of The Big West in 2021. Garcia took over head coaching duties for both programs in 2007 after the resignation of longtime coach and mentor Ted Van Arsdale. He served as an assistant under Van Arsdale for five seasons prior to his appointment to the top spot. In addition to leading the cross country teams, Garcia also coaches distance events for the UC San Diego track and field teams. Garcia was a four-year letterwinner in both cross country and track at UCSD from 1996 to 2000. During his time as a Triton, he earned numerous athletic and academic awards, including Academic All-District and CCAA Scholar-Athlete honors in 2000-01. Garcia earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from UC San Diego in 2000, graduating cum laude. He then completed a multi-subject professional clear CLAD credential at UC San Diego in 2001.

Career Path