In June, the Athletics Department announced Mary Nolte as the head coach of the College’s newest athletic programs, cross-country and track & field.

Nolte, a Maryland native, comes to Washington from Williams College, where she served as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for men’s and women’s cross-country and track & field since 2021. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and education from Dickinson College in 2013, a master’s degree in kinesiology from McDaniel College in 2021, and completed coaching stints at both schools.

Cross-country and track & field are set to become the latest varsity sports at Washington beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. In the meantime, Nolte will be recruiting student-athletes to join the programs by connecting with coaches and athletes around the country and reaching out to current Washington students who have an interest in trying out for the team.

“I’d like to build a cohesive, unified program where all members of the cross-country and track & field teams feel empowered to develop as athletes and as people,” Nolte said. “I’m looking for student-athletes who are committed to being good teammates, who are motivated to learn and grow and help others do the same, and who are excited to be a part of this new era of cross-country and track & field at Washington College.”

Nolte said she was struck by the excitement around athletics at Washington currently. In addition to these two new programs, the College has hired a few new coaches and replaced the turf at Kibler Field this summer. 

“Right away, I could tell there is such positive energy and enthusiasm not only in athletics but also in the broader school community, and I think there is the potential to build something really awesome here,” Nolte said. “Things often feel exciting when they’re new, but I hope to foster that sense of excitement within the team so it continues to grow with the program and the athletes who will be a part of it.”

Nolte is particularly excited to join an institution that prides itself on community. She looks forward to seeing all that the College offers its students, and plans to attend shows, performances, concerts, and presentations—whatever her student-athletes are involved in outside of the team. It was important to her when she was a Division III student-athlete to find balance in the things she was involved in, and that perspective hasn’t changed now that she has transitioned into a coaching role.

“One of the benefits of Division III is that there is a balance between being an athlete and being a part of a bigger community,” Nolte said. “I want student-athletes who are committed to the program but who are also excited to engage with and positively impact the Washington College community in other ways.”