COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Estonian Athletics Association has named University of Colorado Colorado Springs head men's cross country coach Mark Misch as the 2020 Estonian Men's Coach of the Year.  Misch trains Tiidrek Nurme who was chosen as the Estonian Men's Athlete of the Year.
 
"I've been fortunate to work with Tiidrek for many years," said Misch. "He's had a great career, but more importantly he's a man of strong faith, a great husband and father. Any coaching award is simply a direct reflection of the athlete's efforts as seen by the public. He had some great performances in 2020 despite all that was happening, but he is still the same guy and I'm the same coach as the past several years. We just tried to make the most of the calendar year and the opportunities that were presented from the track to the marathon."
 
The Athlete of the Year awards are voted on by members of the public, media, athletes, coaches, and the federation.  This past year, Nurme set two national records (10k and half-marathon) and is No. 2 all-time in the marathon when he qualified for the Olympics in February at the Seville marathon in 2:10:02.
 
"Coaching Tiidrek wasn't much different than normal when we are apart," said Misch. "Basically, we just adjusted things as we went. We've worked together so long that it's not as hands-on as working with a young athlete."
 
Misch and Nurme, who have worked together since 2015, utilized Skype and e-mail to communicate training plans and schedules.  "Obviously, we would rather be back together for some training camps, etc., but in the meantime, we are doing okay," said Misch.
 
"Mark is a devoted coach who loves his sport and the athletes he works with," said Nurme. "During my 17-year career I have never seen a coach like Mark who is ready to give all out for the coaching job. He goes into the details and considers other areas of life into the training plans as well. He is a man who helps his athletes to see the identity outside of the sports career as well. Being born in one of the most secular country in the world, Mark has helped me to see how Christian faith and sports can play perfectly together. He knows how to balance life in this crazy fast modern world. Mark is also an active runner which helps him to feel and think the same way as the athletes around him." 
 
Misch, who is in his 14^th year leading the Mountain Lions men's cross country program, also coaches two more post-college athletes: Kaur Kivistik (the Estonian steeplechase national-record holder), and Dan Michalski (the 2018 Division II steeplechase champion).
 
On the track this past summer, Nurme was the Estonian and Baltic Champion at 5000m and competed in every distance from the 800m to the marathon in 2020, marking a rare feat at the international level.