North Carolina State University Athletics
Track
- Title:
- Director of Track & Field and Cross Country/Men's and Women's Track & Field Head Coach/Women's Cross Country Head Coach
- Email:
- lahenes@ncsu.edu
As Head Coach of:
- Women’s Track & Field (2019-present)
- Men’s Track & Field (2023-present)
Since joining the Wolfpack coaching staff in 1992, Laurie Henes has played an integral role in establishing NC State track & field as one of the nation’s premier programs. Now in her seventh season as head coach of the women’s track & field program and third season leading both the men’s and women’s teams, Henes continues to elevate the Wolfpack on conference and national stages.
In the summer of 2023, following another highly successful season, Henes was named Director of Track & Field and Cross Country and Head Men’s & Women’s Track & Field Coach, while continuing to serve as the head coach of the women’s cross country program.
Laurie Henes By The Numbers:
- 65 All-America selections
- 127 All-ACC Performers
- 21 ACC Individual Champions
- 4 NCAA Individual Champions
Among the many standout athletes coached by Henes is her daughter, Elly Henes. Henes watched and coached Elly to win the outdoor 5000m national championship title in 2022.
Elly was the sixth woman to win the 5000m outdoor title in program history and the first since Henes herself won it in 1991. Elly was named ACC Track Performer of the Year as well as Indoor Track Performer of the Year, making her the first athlete from NC State to attain both honors in a single season.
A decorated Wolfpack alumna, the former Laurie Gomez earned eight All-America citations in track (six) and cross country (twice), was an NCAA Champion in the 5000m and earned All-ACC honors in each of her four years, earning the honor four times in cross country and three times in track.
Following her collegiate career, Henes was one of the nation's top female distance runners and represented the U.S. at the World Track & Field Championships in Sweden in 1995 after placing second in the 10,000m at the USATF National Championships. She was also a 10,000m finalist at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials.
In addition to her athletic success, Henes was awarded the ACC's Marie James Scholarship and a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She won the H.C. Kennett Award as NC State's outstanding female athlete for the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons, the only female athlete ever to win the award in back-to-back seasons.
Henes earned a B.A. degree in history from NC State in 1992. She has also completed the coursework for a master's degree in sports management while serving as an assistant coach.
Laurie is married to Bob Henes, a former Wolfpack All-American in cross country and track. They have two daughters, Elly and Jordan. Elly was a member of the Wolfpack’s cross country and track & field teams from 2016-2019.
