A newcomer to Sage’s cross country program in the Fall of 2011, Justin Bishop (East Greenbush, NY) has been selected as the program’s first assistant, a position he is holding as a volunteer for the Gators. A former pupil of Jim Bowles, Bishop considers Bowles to be one of his greatest mentors.

Bishop comes to Sage after previously serving as an assistant coach of the indoor and outdoor track and field program at his alma mater, Colonie Central High School for two seasons (2005 and 2006). While there, he helped lead the Garnet Raiders boys’ indoor team to their first-ever Section 2 Indoor Championship title.

As a scholastic performer, Bishop won a Section 2 Championship in the pentathlon event in outdoor track and field, as well as a silver medal for decathlon in the 1998 Empire State Games. Additionally, he captured a pair of third place finishes at the Section 2 Indoor Championships in the 60m hurdles and high jump. He would later go on to add two national titles to his resume by winning the USA National Double Decathlon Championships in 2004 and 2007.

In 2007, Bishop began to focus his time on distance events under the guidance of Bowles. In a very short time, the results were staggering. Bishop has won over 30 local races ranging from one mile to half marathon distances, and has completed three full marathons, including the 2008 Boston Marathon.

Bishop graduated from nearby Colonie Central High School in 1999. He is 30 years old, and lives in East Greenbush, NY with his wife, Christina.