The University of Saint Thomas-Houston is excited to welcome Walt Yarrow as the Head Coach for Celt Cross Country. With a distinguished track record and deep roots in Houston-area high schools, Coach Yarrow emerged as the standout choice for this position. Now, as part of the UST family, Coach Yarrow will lead both the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams, bringing his expertise and passion to guide our student athletes toward success.

“It is a privilege to have been selected as the head coach of the UST Cross Country program,” Coach Yarrow said. “I look forward to being part of the UST community and contributing to the success of Celt Athletics. Thank you, Todd Smith for this great opportunity.”

Coach Yarrow’s Journey

Coach Walt Yarrow joins St. Thomas with a rich background in both teaching and coaching. He began his journey in education with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of South Carolina.

As the head Cross Country coach at Katy Tompkins High School since 2017, Coach Yarrow left an indelible mark of success. On the Girl’s side, his squad won the District Team and Individual Championship in 2022 before advancing to the state championship in 2022. On the Boy’s side, Yarrow’s teams secured the district title six times, and the Regional Championship in 2017, 2018, and 2023. At the state level, Katy Tompkins has been represented at the UIL Championships every year from 2017-2023 and achieved a 4th place finish in 2017 and 2023.

Before Katy Tompkins, Coach Yarrow served as both a teacher and coach at Langham Creek High School. During his time there, he played an instrumental role in revitalizing the school's athletic program, leading the Boys and Girls Cross Country to District Championships and regional successes. Most notably, his squad earned a District Championship for the Lobos in 2016, their first title since 1992. Furthermore, the team advanced to the Regional Championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016, all with Coach Yarrow at the helm.

In addition, many notable student athletes have crossed paths with Coach Yarrow, as he coached the 1600m 2019 6A State Champion while at Tompkins and multiple 6A all-state finishers.

Coach Yarrow's dedication and expertise have earned various honors and awards, including being named the 2019 Katy ISD Head Coach of the Year and the 2023 Houston Chronicle Greater Houston Cross Country Coach of the Year. His passion for education, coupled with his relentless pursuit of excellence in athletics, make him an invaluable asset for growing and developing the Celt Cross Country Program now and into the future.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Yarrow to the UST Family,” Athletic Director Todd Smith added. “As soon as Coach stepped on campus, we knew he was the right person to lead UST Cross Country to Greater Things! He has been a very successful Houston-area High School Coach. His running knowledge and connections in Houston and throughout the Texas Cross Country community will be instrumental in leading our program to championships.”

About Celt Cross Country

Following impressive third place finishes at the SCAC meet, the Celt Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams are poised for a successful 2024 season. Building on their success, the Celts showcased their speed at the NCAA Regional Meet, securing the 21st spot in Men's and the 19th in Women's meets. With a promising roster featuring 15 underclassmen across both teams, the future shines bright for Celt Cross Country, setting the stage for a season of achievement and growth.