Bio

Dario Donatelli is in his second stint as the head women’s cross country coach and completed his 22nd season in 2013 after starting with the program in 1987.

Following a one-year hiatus from the NCAA Championships, the women's cross country team had an athlete compete at the 2013 championships when sophomore Rekha Schnepf qualified for the meet and earned All-Region at the Mideast Regional hosted by Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. The 2013 team also had succes during the year, winning the Slippery Rock Mack Cooper Invitational and placing third at its home invitational in October.

Donatelli's 21st season was one of pride for the program as he led the team to its best finish in the University Athletic Association since 1998. The team finished third behind the performance of five fresh faces at one of the nation's best conference meets. On top of that, the team finished fourth at the Mideast Regional with junior Elise Hall earning All-Region accolades in her first regional meet.

Donatelli registered his third All-American athlete when Emily Wobb earned the title at the 2011 NCAA Championships. The 2011 team finished sixth in the University Athletic Association and eighth at the Mideast Regional.

The 2010 cross country season was one of top accomplishment for the team and individuals as the team placed seventh at the Mideast Regional and two individuals made the NCAA Championships field.

Donatelli, a 1981 graduate of Carnegie Mellon, was named the University Athletic Association Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year for the first time in 2005 when the Tartans took the men's UAA title. The honor marked Donatelli's sixth UAA Coach of the Year award, as he also received the recognition in 1999 for the fifth time as the women's coach after the Tartans captured their third UAA crown under his leadership.

During Donatelli's first 14 years with the women's team, the Tartans won three UAA titles in a span of four years, with four teams making the NCAA Championship. Maureen McGranaghan became the program's first cross country All-America athlete in 1996 and repeated her performance in 1997 and 1998. Joining her as an All-America finisher was Margaret Powers in 1997 and 1998, as the team had its highest finish (4th) on the national level during the 1998 season. Donatelli has also coached 28 All-Region female athletes.

Overall, he has coached 11 All-America and 78 All-Region athletes in cross country and 30 All-America athletes in track.

In addition to their athletic honors, Donatelli's athletes are among the best students at Carnegie Mellon and the nation at large. The cross country team received Team All-Academic honors for the 19th straight year.

Carnegie Mellon has won seven conference titles under Donatelli (four in cross country, three in track and field). He has been named a conference Coach of the Year 12 times.

Donatelli's coaching success followed an outstanding collegiate athletic career. As a senior cross country runner at Carnegie Mellon, under retiree Gary Meckley, Donatelli earned All-America honors and led the Tartans to the NCAA Mideast Regional title. Donatelli was a three-time All-Mid East runner, four-time national qualifier and the Presidents' Athletic Conference Most Valuable Performer in 1980.