Men’s track and cross-country coach Larry Wieczorek underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Aug. 26.

The surgery — performed at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics — repaired a minor meniscus tear, a common wear-and-tear injury for runners.

Wieczorek, who has been running for 50 years, was the 2011 Big Ten Coach of the Year. He is entering his 16th season as Iowa’s men’s cross-country coach, 25th as the head of the track and field program. Wieczorek was inducted into Iowa’s National Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998 for his performance as a Hawkeye in the 1960s.

The four-time All-American and six-time Big Ten champion (including two cross-country titles) will be limited to crutches for a few days, but he said he looks forward to returning to the fray.

The men’s and women’s cross-country teams will kick off their seasons at 6 p.m. Friday with the Iowa Open at the Ashton Cross-Country Course.

— by Ben Ross