XC COACHES
Pete Wintermute - Head Coach of XC and T&F (2014- present)
Assistant Coach (2001-2002) - St. Charles North HS (Boys T&F),
Assistant Coach (2002-2010) Prospect HS (Boys XC/TF),
Assistant Coach (2010-2014) Prospect HS (Girls XC/TF)
BA: University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana (2000) - Mathematics and a Secondary Education
MA: Olivet Nazarene University (2005) - Curriculum and Instruction
Aurora University (2008) - Type 75 Certificate
2010 ITCCCA Dave Pasquini Assistant Coach Achievement Award
2006 USATF Level 1 Certification (Loyola University)
2015 Be-Activated Level 1 Certification
It all began in the spring of 2000, Coach Wintermute to complete his student teaching at Prospect HS and he coached alongside Hall of Fame coach, Mike Stokes. It was there his passion for coaching began and coaching Primo to a win the 800m run at the IHSA Sectional was just the beginning. It wasn't until the fall of 2002 when Coach Wintermute returned to Prospect High School as a Mathematics teacher and returned as a distance assistant under Mike Stokes that the glory days began. The Knights XC team earned IHSA State berths in 6 out of the 8 years while placing 4th three times. The F/S team complied a 44 and 7 dual meet record during those eight years and two F/S MSL Conference Titles and a JV MSL Title. As a mid-distance runner himself, Coach Wintermute, found a passion in the 4x800 and the team dynamics that make championship relay teams. During the 8 year span with the Prospect boys program the Knights qualified the 4x800 to the IHSA State finals in all but one year and highlighted it with a State Championship in 2004. The 4x800 relay placed 2010 (2nd), 2009 (4th), 2008 (4th), 2007 (6th), 2006 (12th), 2005 (2nd), 2004 (1st), 2003 (3rd) during those 8 years.
In 2010, Coach Wintermute transitioned to the Prospect Girls program to learn from the great one, Dave Wurster, in hopes of being his successor. During his four year as a distance assistant coach under Coach Wurster, the Knights enjoyed many great successes and set every distance school record on the track. On the track the 4x800 magic continued with a four more trips to the IHSA State Track Meet and placed 5th, 3rd, and 4th. In XC the team earned three trips in four years to the IHSA State XC meet and placed 5th twice while holding a national ranking in three of those four years.
In 2014, Coach Wintermute took over as the head coach of both Prospect Girls Cross Country and Track & Field. He thanks all those that helped him get to this point: his wife and family, the athletes, Mike Stokes, Mike Kamedula, Dave Wurster, and his high school coach, Mike Kuharic. Today he trains to stay fit (a few marathons, a half Ironman, etc.) and runs for Cammy ("Cammy Can") a dear friend of his and an inspiration to all.
In high school, Coach Wintermute, attended Lyons Township in LaGrange, IL and was a three sport athlete. He began his career as a football, basketball, and track runner and by junior year he was a runner (cross country, basketball, and track). He said, "I was always into sports that had a component of running but it wasn't until high school that I realized I was much better at running than these other sports." He was fueled by the intensity of competition and the desire to train to be the best so as the transition away from football and basketball happened his love for running emerged and success followed. In track, Coach Wintermute ran the 2nd leg of Back-to-Back (1995 and 1996) 4x800 IHSA State Championships with Eric Espinosa, Alan Hasler, and Chris Stanley. "We committed to each other, lifted everyday in the winter, and strengthened bonds that were crazy powerful. This is what made us great."
Assistant Coach (2001-2002) - St. Charles North HS (Boys T&F),
Assistant Coach (2002-2010) Prospect HS (Boys XC/TF),
Assistant Coach (2010-2014) Prospect HS (Girls XC/TF)
BA: University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana (2000) - Mathematics and a Secondary Education
MA: Olivet Nazarene University (2005) - Curriculum and Instruction
Aurora University (2008) - Type 75 Certificate
2010 ITCCCA Dave Pasquini Assistant Coach Achievement Award
2006 USATF Level 1 Certification (Loyola University)
2015 Be-Activated Level 1 Certification
It all began in the spring of 2000, Coach Wintermute to complete his student teaching at Prospect HS and he coached alongside Hall of Fame coach, Mike Stokes. It was there his passion for coaching began and coaching Primo to a win the 800m run at the IHSA Sectional was just the beginning. It wasn't until the fall of 2002 when Coach Wintermute returned to Prospect High School as a Mathematics teacher and returned as a distance assistant under Mike Stokes that the glory days began. The Knights XC team earned IHSA State berths in 6 out of the 8 years while placing 4th three times. The F/S team complied a 44 and 7 dual meet record during those eight years and two F/S MSL Conference Titles and a JV MSL Title. As a mid-distance runner himself, Coach Wintermute, found a passion in the 4x800 and the team dynamics that make championship relay teams. During the 8 year span with the Prospect boys program the Knights qualified the 4x800 to the IHSA State finals in all but one year and highlighted it with a State Championship in 2004. The 4x800 relay placed 2010 (2nd), 2009 (4th), 2008 (4th), 2007 (6th), 2006 (12th), 2005 (2nd), 2004 (1st), 2003 (3rd) during those 8 years.
In 2010, Coach Wintermute transitioned to the Prospect Girls program to learn from the great one, Dave Wurster, in hopes of being his successor. During his four year as a distance assistant coach under Coach Wurster, the Knights enjoyed many great successes and set every distance school record on the track. On the track the 4x800 magic continued with a four more trips to the IHSA State Track Meet and placed 5th, 3rd, and 4th. In XC the team earned three trips in four years to the IHSA State XC meet and placed 5th twice while holding a national ranking in three of those four years.
In 2014, Coach Wintermute took over as the head coach of both Prospect Girls Cross Country and Track & Field. He thanks all those that helped him get to this point: his wife and family, the athletes, Mike Stokes, Mike Kamedula, Dave Wurster, and his high school coach, Mike Kuharic. Today he trains to stay fit (a few marathons, a half Ironman, etc.) and runs for Cammy ("Cammy Can") a dear friend of his and an inspiration to all.
In high school, Coach Wintermute, attended Lyons Township in LaGrange, IL and was a three sport athlete. He began his career as a football, basketball, and track runner and by junior year he was a runner (cross country, basketball, and track). He said, "I was always into sports that had a component of running but it wasn't until high school that I realized I was much better at running than these other sports." He was fueled by the intensity of competition and the desire to train to be the best so as the transition away from football and basketball happened his love for running emerged and success followed. In track, Coach Wintermute ran the 2nd leg of Back-to-Back (1995 and 1996) 4x800 IHSA State Championships with Eric Espinosa, Alan Hasler, and Chris Stanley. "We committed to each other, lifted everyday in the winter, and strengthened bonds that were crazy powerful. This is what made us great."
Lisa Cottrell - Prospect HS Assistant Coach (2008-present)
Assistant Coach (2007)-Rolling Meadows HS (boys & girls),
BA: Northeastern Illinois University (1995) Special Education
MA: Northeastern Illinois University (2004) English (Literature)
MS: National-Louis University (2011) English (Written Communication)
Upward Bound Instructor (2005-present) - District 214
Lead High Ropes Course Facilitator (2006-present) – District 214
USTFCCCA Level 1 Coaching Certification (2013)
Be-Activated Level 1 Certification (2015)
Assistant Coach (2007)-Rolling Meadows HS (boys & girls),
BA: Northeastern Illinois University (1995) Special Education
MA: Northeastern Illinois University (2004) English (Literature)
MS: National-Louis University (2011) English (Written Communication)
Upward Bound Instructor (2005-present) - District 214
Lead High Ropes Course Facilitator (2006-present) – District 214
USTFCCCA Level 1 Coaching Certification (2013)
Be-Activated Level 1 Certification (2015)
Erin Petersen (Erin O'Grady) - Prospect HS Assistant Coach (2017 XC)
Prospect graduate
Eastern Illinois University
Prospect graduate
Eastern Illinois University
Dave Wurster - Former XC Head Coach (1996-2013) and T&F Head Coach (1985-2014) "A Tradition of Excellence"
Coach Wurster retired in 2014 to kick back and enjoy some worldwide traveling. "Moose" as he was known by many was meticulous in his field and knew how to get the most out of each of his athletes. He was passionate about each kid he taught and coached and challenged them to be the best versions of themselves. Coach Wurster poured every ounce of energy into developing each athlete and made us all think about how to do things a little bit better. His passion and love for running was contagious to all that he came in contact with and he left Prospect HS as one of the best T&F and XC teams in the State. Below are some of his team's outstanding accomplishments.
Prospect Girls Cross Country (Head Coach: Dave Wurster 1996-2013):
Mid Suburban League East Division Champs - 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Mid Suburban League Conference Champs – 2009, 2011
IHSA Regional Champs - 1998, 2002, 2008, 2009
IHSA Sectional Champs – 2011
IHSA State Meet Team Place - 2001-10th, 2006-21st, 2008-5th, 2009-6th, 2010-5th, 2011-5th, 2012-12th
National Rankings: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Prospect Girls Track and Field (Head Coach Dave Wurster 1984-2014)
Mid Suburban League Division Champs – 1988, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Mid Suburban League Conference Champs – 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2012, 2013
IHSA Sectional Champs – 1998, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2009, 2010, 2013
IHSA State Meet Team Place - 1996-13th, 1997-24th, 1998-8th, 2005-9th, 2011-21st, 2012-20th, 2013-13th, 2014-9th
Coach Wurster retired in 2014 to kick back and enjoy some worldwide traveling. "Moose" as he was known by many was meticulous in his field and knew how to get the most out of each of his athletes. He was passionate about each kid he taught and coached and challenged them to be the best versions of themselves. Coach Wurster poured every ounce of energy into developing each athlete and made us all think about how to do things a little bit better. His passion and love for running was contagious to all that he came in contact with and he left Prospect HS as one of the best T&F and XC teams in the State. Below are some of his team's outstanding accomplishments.
Prospect Girls Cross Country (Head Coach: Dave Wurster 1996-2013):
Mid Suburban League East Division Champs - 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Mid Suburban League Conference Champs – 2009, 2011
IHSA Regional Champs - 1998, 2002, 2008, 2009
IHSA Sectional Champs – 2011
IHSA State Meet Team Place - 2001-10th, 2006-21st, 2008-5th, 2009-6th, 2010-5th, 2011-5th, 2012-12th
National Rankings: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Prospect Girls Track and Field (Head Coach Dave Wurster 1984-2014)
Mid Suburban League Division Champs – 1988, 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Mid Suburban League Conference Champs – 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2012, 2013
IHSA Sectional Champs – 1998, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2009, 2010, 2013
IHSA State Meet Team Place - 1996-13th, 1997-24th, 1998-8th, 2005-9th, 2011-21st, 2012-20th, 2013-13th, 2014-9th
Don Nelson - Former XC Head Coach
In 1989, Coach Nelson's team placed 3rd at the IHSA State Meet to bring home the Knights only IHSA State trophy in cross country.