Track season is now underway under the tutelage of a new head coach. Mrs. Molly French, mother of two NDA alums and a son who is currently at NDA, has replaced Coach Nowak,  who has now retired as both the track and football head coach.

Mrs. French, a St. Joe’s Academy alum who ran track at Texas A&M University, is in her fourteenth season of NDA track, having been the long distance coach for the past 13 season.

She said that she will not be making any big changes this year.

Her coaching staff includes Chris Nowak as the jumpers coach; Jolene Blindauer as the sprinters coach; Adam Ronsman as the pole vault coach; Kevin Butters as the throwers coach; and Chris VanSaders as the hurdles coach. Coach French will continue to coach the long-distance runners.

Coach French said, “I am looking forward to being more involved with all the athletes and learning more about the events I am less familiar with.”

Her favorite part of coaching is working with the athletes and says she has been very fortunate to have “wonderful athletes” for the past 13 years.

“They are so much fun, and I love watching them accomplish their goals,” she said.

Junior Grace Zellner said, “Our season is off to a great start. We have a young team with potential, and we are excited as the bigger meets are approaching. Coach French is doing an amazing job coaching so far. She pushes everyone to truly meet their full potential.”

Another junior, Kate Stumpf, echoed Zellner’s positivity.

“I am really looking forward to seeing how everyone improves throughout the season because of all of our hard work in practices. I am very happy that Coach French is the new head coach because she has been very involved with the team for a number of years as the distance coach. It is nice to see her get to lead the whole team and give the program a new spin.”

Senior Jacob Rose added, “Coach French has done a wonderful job of taking on the responsibilities as head track and field coach. Her adjustment from overseeing the distance runners to overseeing all has gone seamlessly, as she has been warmly welcomed to the position by both the team and parents. I am looking forward to a great rest of the season with her.”