GALESBURG, Ill. — Mark Nelson, the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at Knox College, announced the hiring of assistant coach Durham Avant recently. Avant joins the Prairie Fire staff following his tenure as a student assistant coach working with the throwing athletes at his alma mater, Culver-Stockton College.

"Coach Avant brings the right combination of coaching and recruiting skills to help us continue to improve and achieve the goals we have set for our program," Coach Nelson said. "He relates well with the athletes on our team and will be a great asset on the recruiting trail to help continue building up this program."

Avant joined the track and field staff at Culver-Stockton in January of 2022 as a sophomore. He coached 17 athletes who competed in the Heart of America Conference indoor and outdoor championships, and he worked with throwers who broke the program's indoor shot put record on the men's side and the outdoor hammer for the women. In all, 31 top-10 school marks across all throwing events were attained by the two genders.

In addition to his work with the track and field teams, he served as a student assistant with the Wildcats in the 2021-22 school years as well, working with the running backs, tight ends and offensive linemen.

Avant graduated from Culver-Stockton in May of 2024 with a bachelor of science degree in Interdisciplinary studies.