Introducing Washington County's new winter sports head coaches
There are six Washington County high school varsity teams being led by new head coaches (one of them returning to a lead role) this winter. Let's get a quick introduction to the new faces in charge.
Nissa Freeman
South Hagerstown indoor track and field
Previous coaching experience: Assistant coach, indoor and outdoor track and field, South Hagerstown (2022-2023); certified track and field official since 2010 through USATF.
Previous athletics experience: Frederick High School.
In my words: "I feel very blessed to have the opportunity to lead the South High indoor track program as head coach. I have been involved with South High since 2006 in many capacities and felt like this was the right time to step into a new role. I plan on bringing fresh training ideas and building a program with strong values alongside my wonderful assistant coaches. I love the diversity of South High and look forward to helping create a positive culture within the program that radiates throughout the school from the student athletes. The South High track program has been extremely successful in past years, and we are so excited to see that success again."
Vanity Jones
South Hagerstown girls basketball
Previous playing experience: Jefferson, W.Va. (2003-2006); University of Valley Forge (2009-2013).
In her words: “I’ve always had a heart to coach basketball and invest in the community I lived or worked in. When I saw the position at South, I felt like this was an opportunity to instill in others what great coaches have instilled in me. I think South has a great atmosphere and I want to be able to help this program continue to grow. ... My goal is to help each individual player recognize the greatness inside of them on and off the court. When they tap into that greatness, we will build as a strong, unified team. Larry Brown said it best when discussing the success of a team: ‘A successful team plays hard, unselfish and together.’ At the end of the season, I hope that we can say that those three characteristics are weaved into our team dynamics.”
Erin Minnick
Williamsport indoor track and field
Previous coaching experience: Assistant coach, indoor/outdoor track and field, Williamsport (2016-2017); head coach, indoor/outdoor track and field, Williamsport (2017-2019); assistant coach, indoor/outdoor track and field, Williamsport (2019-2021); assistant coach, cross country, Williamsport (2020); head coach, cross country, Williamsport (2021); assistant coach, cross country, Williamsport (2023).
Previous athletics experience: Williamsport (2008-2012); Juniata College (2012-2016).
In her words: "I am so excited to be back at Williamsport and working a program that has been instrumental in my life. When I left coaching to pursue my PhD, I didn't anticipate how much I would miss it. In the end, I made time to come back to a program that helped build me into the woman I am. I've learned a lot since my initial year coaching and I'm excited to bring some new ideas to training and competition. It's my goal to make sure that these student-athletes get as much out of the program as they can. I want them to compete, but I want them to have fun while they do it."
Tommy Murray
Boonsboro boys basketball
Previous coaching experience: Head/assistant coach, Wildwood (W.Va.) Middle School (2008-2013); assistant coach, Jefferson High School (2013-23).
Previous playing experience: Full Gospel Christian School and Camp Springs Christian School.
In his words: "I am looking forward to leading the Boonsboro boys basketball program into an exciting style of play. This year the community can look forward to the young men playing and giving maximum effort in the classroom as well as on the court. The main goal for the program is for each athlete to improve their individual basketball skills and basketball IQ. We believe once they improve individually, then collectively we will become a stronger basketball program that will be able to compete each and every game. The most important thing for the community is to BOONLIEVE!"
Jonathan Wesson
Williamsport boys basketball
Previous coaching experience: JV head coach, Nettleton High School (Miss., 2017-2019); head coach, Spring Mills Middle School (2021-2023).
In his words: "I am excited for an opportunity to coach at Williamsport High School. I am looking forward to bringing my ideas and values to the program. My goal is to build a culture where we work hard, ultimately molding our student athletes into well-rounded individuals to best prepare them for future endeavors. I believe we have a coaching staff that will teach the game so the players can continually progress and be competitive at each level. I can’t wait to see evolution of the program and the direction it goes in the future."
Jerica Wetzel
Boonsboro girls baskeball
Previous coaching experience: JV head coach, girls basketball, Boonsboro (2012-2014, 2022-2023).
Previous playing experience: Boonsboro (2003-2007), Shepherd (2007-2011).
In her words: "I am honored to be named head coach of Boonsboro High girls basketball. This is the community I started my athletic career in as a player, and it is one of the most dedicated, supportive and loyal communities to our athletes. I look forward to continuing to help our athletes mature into the best person and player they can be, with great team success on the court along the way. Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior."
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Introducing Washington County's new winter sports head coaches
