NORTHAMPTON, MA - I'll never forget the day when one of my high jumpers became an All-American.
It was 2024, and honestly, she struggled all the way through indoor season and most of outdoor season. She had set some pretty lofty goals for herself, and with only a few meets left, there was a lot of pressure.
But at the meet before our conference championships, she had a major breakthrough attempting a personal record bar. She competed at a last-chance meet to try to qualify for nationals and achieve her career goal of going to the NCAAs.
She PR'd at the last-chance meet, jumping five feet, six inches, and added her name to the nationals list, narrowly making the top 21 in the nation. When we got to the NCAAs, she matched her career-best jump to place herself fifth in the nation, giving herself All-American status.
Watching her overcome those obstacles and reach her goals was so rewarding. It's moments like that which make me love what I do.
A transformative experience
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I spent two years at Moravian University under the mentorship of Jesse Baumann, a seasoned coach entering his 15th year at the university. During a transformative period in my life, as I was stepping into my first full-time coaching role, Jesse taught me valuable lessons about establishing myself as a young coach.
His dedication, progress, and hard work have been an inspiration to me. Witnessing what he has built with years of perseverance drives me to develop into the kind of coach he exemplifies.
A unique style
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Since my undergrad years, I've taken up distance running and even trained for a marathon in 2024. Running is a passion of mine, and it's something I enjoy doing in my free time.
I also have a unique tradition of wearing a pink cowboy hat to track meets. It's a fun and distinctive way to express my personality and bring a bit of flair to the events.
As I reflect on my coaching journey, I think back to a mentor who once told me, "Imagine if you were holding back. Imagine the things you could accomplish if you believed in yourself 100%."
This advice has stuck with me throughout my career, and it's a message I strive to instill in the athletes I coach.
My mission
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Smith College has a proud tradition of empowering student-athletes to grow both in and out of competition. I'm excited to build on that legacy. My goal is to foster a culture of excellence, resilience, and unity, where every athlete is seen, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential. Joining Smith College was a decision fueled by my admiration for the strong female community, robust academics, and welcoming staff and faculty.
I'm thrilled to become a part of this incredible community, both on and off campus. As I embark on this journey at Smith College, I look forward to empowering student-athletes and contributing to the growth and success of the track and field program.
Together, we will create a legacy of excellence, resilience, and unity, leaving a lasting impact on the Smith athletic community.
About Smith Athletics: Smith College is a NCAA Division III member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference that sponsors 11 intercollegiate sports. For more information log onto GoSmithBears.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram
