sklsdc9vx wrote:
sudden, immediate head XC and T&F opening at Keene State in NH
Paige Mills '12 To Step Down As Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach
KEENE, N.H.--Keene State College track and field and cross country head coach Paige Mills '12 has announced that she will step down after nearly two years leading the program to pursue other professional opportunities.
"It is incredibly difficult to be leaving KSC as my time here has been a special and rich one and our culture is strong," said Mills. "I am excited however for this unique opportunity to train full time and chase that Olympic Trial standard in the marathon while being supported by my USATF club, Valor TC."
"I will also be starting the first branch of Valor representing the northeast and based out of Portland, Maine to help athletes of all ages and abilities reach their goals with extra energy spent at building an elite team of other post-collegiate athletes looking to compete on a national stage. I want to thank our current Owl cross country and track and field team members and coaches for their dedication and commitment to our programs, as well as the many other people and alumni who have supported me in these two years. The fire is lit, and I can't wait to root the Owls on as they move forward!"
Mills took over the program in January of 2020, navigating the Owls through the COVID-19 pandemic and mentoring a pair of NCAA Division III Championship qualifiers in Ben Musese in the triple jump in 2020 and Joey Fodor in the javelin in 2021. She also guided the women's cross country team to a third place finish at the Little East Conference championships this past fall, as well as a third place finish at the women's LEC Outdoor Track and Field championships in the spring of 2021.
Several school records were broken in Mills' tenure, including Ben Musese in the triple jump, Shannon Parks in both the indoor and outdoor shot put, and the weight throw.
"Paige cares deeply about the Keene State Cross Country and Track and Field programs, and has left them both in a better place than when she arrived," said KSC Director of Athletics and Recreation Phil Racicot. "We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors and will always welcome her back to KSC."
An announcement on the next coach of the program will be made in due course.