Ben Chretien, a 2012 Olympic Trial Qualifier and NCAA All-American and a McNeese standout javelin thrower, joined the McNeese track and field staff in the summer of 2014 and is in his ninth season on staff. He'll coach and oversee the men's and women's throwing events as well as jumps and multi-events.
During his time, a McNeese Sports Hall of Fame inductee, has coached eight conference champions (Janell Fullerton, outdoor shot put, 2022; Blanche Beard, javelin, 2022; Grace McKenzie, outdoor heptathlon, 2021; Alanna Arvie, outdoor hammer, 2021; Arvie, indoor weight, 2020; Morgan Woods, javelin, 2018; Grace McKenzie, heptathlon and pentathlon, 2018; Hiram Morales, indoor shot put, 2017).
In 2022, he coached two Cowgirls who won outdoor championships - Janell Fullerton (shot put) and Blanche Beard (javelin), both who qualified for the NCAA East Preliminary Meet. The 2021 season saw Chretien coach Cowgirl hammer thrower Alanna Arvie (hammer) and multi-event star Grace McKenzie (heptathlon) to conference gold while three of his throwers qualified for the NCAA East Prelims (Arvie in the hammer and shot put, Donavon Banks and Hunter Longino in the men's javelin. Arvie won the women's weight throw title at the 2020 SLC Indoor Championships.
In 2018, he coached Cowgirl javelin thrower Morgan Woods to honorable mention All-American status and a gold medal at the SLC Outdoor Championships. He was also instrumental in mentoring Grace McKenzie as she captured the gold medal in the heptathlon (outdoor) and pentathlon (indoor) at the league championships, both in school record fashion, and qualified for the NCAA Championships but had to withdraw on the second day due to injury.
Woods advanced to the national championships after placing eighth at the NCAA East Regional Preliminary Round with a throw of 161-7. At the prior meet, the McNeese Last Chance, she set a new school record in the javelin with a mark of 166-7.
On the men's side, Chretien coached Donavon Banks to a gold medal in the javelin at the SLC championships and a spot in the NCAA East Prelims, where he fell just short of reaching the nationals.
In 2017, he had two silver medalists at the SLC outdoor meet in the javelin throw - Banks for the men and Woods the women - as well as a bronze medalist in the women's heptathlon in Ashley Johnson. For the indoor season, he coached Hiram Morales to a gold medal in the shot put.
As an invited walk-on, Chretien earned a reputation as an emerging talent during his years at McNeese State (2007-12). He finished in the top three in Southland Conference championships during his time with the Cowboys ending his collegiate career as Southland Conference Champion in 2012 when he also achieved first team All-American honors and participated in the 2012 Olympic Trials.
Chretien currently holds McNeese’s school record for the javelin with a throw of 245’ 4’’ (74.78m)
Chretien was additionally honored by McNeese as their Newcomer of the Year (2008), Most Valuable Player: Field Events (2008, 2012), Most Valuable Player: Track and Field (2009) and 2011-2012 McNeese Athlete of the Year. He was selected by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association for the Track and Field All-Louisiana Team. Chretien’s academic honors include: Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and All-Academic Teams, USTFCCA All Academic Honors and McNeese’s SLC Scholar Athlete of the Year – 2012
An Elton, Louisiana native, Chretien graduated from McNeese State with a degree in business management in 2011 and then in 2013, completed graduate studies in health promotion.
He gained experience in the coaching ranks as a coach for USA Track and Field Summer League team Lake Area Express in Lake Charles. He also has coached athletes at the high school and Master levels.
Collegiate Highlights:
2012 Olympic Trial Qualifier (finished 15th)
NCAA All American 1st Team (finished 5th)
2012 Southland Conference Champion
Louisiana Sportswriters Association All Louisiana Team
2011-2012 McNeese Athlete of the Year
McNeese Most Valuable Player: Field Events 2008, 2012
McNeese Most Valuable Player – Track and Field – 2009
McNeese Newcomer of the Year – 2008
2009, 2010 SLC Championship - Javelin 2nd place
2008 SLC Championship - Javelin 3rd place
NCAA Regional Qualifier, NCAA National Championship Qualifier
Holds School Record for Javelin 2012
USTFCCA All Academic Honors
SLC Commissioner’s Honor Roll
McNeese’s SLC Scholar Athlete of the Year – 2012
SLC All-Academic Team
