UCLA alum & Kentucky assistant coach Andrew Ninow added to Washington track & field staff...

SEATTLE—The puzzle known as the University of Washington track & field and cross country staff is one step closer to completion with the announcement Wednesday that former University of Kentucky throws coach Andrew Ninow (above/photo courtesy University of Kentucky) will be the new throws coach of the Huskies.

"Andrew Ninow is a tremendous addition to our staff," said UW Head Coach Andy Powell. "He has a proven record of success across the throwing events, boasting NCAA scorers in the javelin, discus, shot put, and indoor weight throw. He is a thoughtful and dynamic coach who is respected throughout the country, and we can't wait to get him on campus with our student-athletes this fall."

Ninow competed at UCLA under Art Venegas before starting his coaching career at Stanford under Edrick Floreal, now the coach at Texas.

At Stanford, his throwers won four Pac-12 titles and had a trio of top-three NCAA Outdoor finishes. Ninow then moved to Kentucky with Floreal, where he mentored Wildcats to nine First Team All-America honors over a six-year tenure, including coaching future U.S. Olympian Andrew Evans.

Ninow joins associate head coach and jumps mentor Toby Stevenson from Kentucky on the Washington staff.

"I am very excited about the opportunity to work under the leadership of (director of track & field and cross country) Maurica and Andy Powell here at the University of Washington," said Ninow. "The Powells have assembled a formidable staff to execute their vision for the next chapter of Husky Track and Field and continue the UW tradition of athletic and academic excellence."

“I would like to thank Coach Edrick Floreal for hiring me as a young coach back at Stanford over ten years ago," Ninow said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have been mentored and shaped by such a world-class coach. I would also like to thank the University of Kentucky administration and student-athletes for their support and dedication for the past six years. I will always value my experience at UK, and I wish them the best of luck in the future."

Ninow inherits a throws group that includes redshirt freshman Elijah Mason, who was eighth at the IAAF world U20 championships two weeks ago in Finland, along with Onyie Chibuogwu, a stalwart in the discus, hammer & weight; javelin throwers Daisey Newman & Emmy Engle; and incoming freshman MaKayla Kelby from Missouri.

With Ninow’s hire, the only major hole left in the Washington coaching staff is a sprints and hurdles coach.

Washington's release is available here.

NOTE:  The University of Washington and the University of Kentucky contributed to this report.