Bob Hollen (2014)
About Bob Hollen
In his 36 years of coaching in track & field and 27 years in cross country, Bob Hollen has made Granville High School a State Meet fixture in both sports and a respected and dominant presence in Central Ohio athletics. Listing the boys and girls track and cross country championship titles in combination, the Blue Aces have amassed 36 Mid-State and Licking County League titles, 19 District Runner-up titles, 19 District Championships, 11 Regional Runner-up awards, three Regional Championships, and numerous trips to the State Championship meets. The boys cross country teams have made five State Meet appearances with their highest finish of 5th coming in 1996. Girls cross country achieved their highest finish of 5th place in 2010. In track, the boys have finished in the top ten twice - 6th in 1986 and 7th in 2002. The girls won the Division II State Runner-up title in 2002 to add to their other top ten finish, 9th in 1989. Either individually or on relay teams, Bob’s athletes reached the podium 117 times with Runner-up performances coming from Andrew Cooper (1997, High Jump), Brian Pulliam (2002, 800M), Carrie Brown (1979, Discus), Laura Redding (1986 High Jump, 1987 100HH), Amy Ehrsam (1989, 100M and 200M), and Anyi Onyido (2001, 100HH). State Championship titles were won by Mike McBride (1986, Shot Put), Kim Horning (2002, Long Jump and 4 x 100M), and Carrie Brown who won the 1979 title and then came back to repeat in 1980 setting a Division II State Record in the process. Annie Beecham was a three time All-Ohio cross country and three-time All-Ohio track athlete who went on to earn All American honors in the 10K while at Ohio University. Bob has received the Fred Dafler Career State Coach of the Year two times, in 2002 for Girls Track and Field and in 2012 for Boys Cross Country. Bob has served Ohio athletes and coaches in a variety of other roles. He designed and produced the Midwest Meet of Champions program when it was held at Ohio Wesleyan and has served as the OATCCC event photographer at numerous championship meets. He has also been the District 11 representative to the OATCCC for many years, is currently the Web Site Chair, and is a former President of the State Coaches Association. Bob also has served as President of the Central District Track and Cross Country Coaches Association. Most recently, Bob has coached Team Ohio girls at the Mid East Cross Country Championships and served as a member of the Midwest Meet of Champions track and field staff.
