Mike Petro joined the Howard Community College Track & Field program in August 2025. Petro will coach the throwing events for the Dragons.
Prior to his time at HCC, Petro was the Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach at Hood College from 2021-25. During his time at Hood, Petro saw athletes break 45 program records, earn 24 All-Conference honors, and receive 12 USTFCCCA All-Region selections. Coach also led the program to their highest program finishes at the ECAC, MAC, AARTFC, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship meets.
Petro served as an assistant coach at Seton Hill from 2019-21. Working primarily with the throws, his recruiting efforts grew the event group from eight to 18 student-athletes during his tenure. He coached 1 USTFCCCA All-Region honoree, 1 school record, and 7 PSAC scoring performances during the Covid-19 pandemic. On the cross country side, he helped coach the women's cross country team to a 3rd place finish at the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Championship, thus earning a bid to the 2019 NCAA Division II XC Championships.
Prior to his time at Seton Hill, Petro was an assistant coach at Division III Denison University. He coached 23 All-North Coast Athletic Conference performers, 10 All-Great Lakes Region student-athletes, 6 conference champions and 5 NCAA qualifiers.
Petro also serves as a USATF Level 1 Coaching School instructor. He has USATF level 2 throws, endurance, and jumps certifications. He also is certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength Coaches Association.
Petro was a dual sport student-athlete at Allegheny College (PA) in track and field and football. In track and field, he earned five All-NCAC accolades and was a two-time conference champion, qualifying for the NCAA championships in the hammer in 2015.
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in dance and movement studies in 2015. In 2017, he earned a Master of Science degree exercise science and health promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.
