Jill Tennyson Promoted to Head Track and Field Coach at St. Mary's Ryken

St. Mary's Ryken (SMR) is pleased to announce Jill Tennyson as Head Track and Field Coach. The position was previously held by Coach Gary Wynn who was just announced as Head Football Coach.

“Coach Jill has made such a positive impact in the SMR community," said Athletic Director Jon Lombardo. "She began as an assistant cross country coach and since that day, Jill has earned more responsibility and more opportunities to be a part of the SMR community in various roles. Now, in addition to being a full-time Resource Teacher and Head Cross Country coach, she will take over as Head Track and Field Coach."

Coach Lombardo continues: "We are so blessed to have Jill in our community because of her positive presence, competitive spirit and willingness to organize and execute with detail. Jill’s process driven mentality as an educator has helped our cross country team experience unprecedented growth in the 2021 season with over 30 student-athletes in the program. I look forward to watching the same growth and development for track and field rooted in compassion, humility, simplicity, trust and zeal.”

"My immediate goal is to get a group of athletes that want to work hard and learn about track and field," said Coach Tennyson. "We have not had a track season in two years because of COVID-19, so my juniors are still new to track. I have great confidence in the upperclassmen who will rise as leaders and carry our team to be successful in our competitions and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC)."

Long term, Coach Tennyson aims to be competitive in all events. "The beauty of track is the wide range of events that requires unique skills. Good teams have athletes in the sprints, jumps, throws and distance events. I would like to strive to have that diverse of a team and be a contender in the WCAC."

 

"I hope to bring the joy of working hard to the program," said Coach Tennyson. "Anyone that knows me knows that I am passionate about running and love track and field. I expect hard work but I also want the athletes to have fun and learn. Anyone can improve if they have the right attitude and commitment."

Coach Tennyson has a Ph.D. in Education from George Mason University with a concentration in Sports Management, Student Services and Special Circumstances. She earned a Master of Science degree in Sports Management from Georgia Southern University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Abilene Christian University. 

In addition to her new coaching role, Coach Tennyson will continue as a Resource Teacher and Head Cross Country coach at SMR.