For Immediate Release Contact: Steve Edwards October 30, 2017 Coordinator of Policy and Communications Release #614 540-662-3888 x 88235

James Wood High School has named Alan Cavanagh its new swimming coach and Mike Onda its new track and field coach. Cavanagh succeeds Elizabeth Mumaw who resigned as the Colonels’ swimming coach in order to take a position as an assistant track and field coach at James Wood. She also serves as an assistant coach for James Wood’s cross country team. Onda succeeds Matt Stegmaier who resigned to spend more time with his family.

Cavanagh was a diver for the Providence College swim team from 1988 to 1992 and has coached the Clearbrook Dolphins swim team for the past three years. In addition, he has served as a stroke and turn official for the Shenandoah Valley Swim League and James Wood High School since 2012.

James Wood High School Coordinator of Student Activities Craig Woshner says, “Coach Mumaw did an excellent job with our swimming program during her two years as head coach, but felt that focusing on coaching our distance runners year-round was a priority. We are happy to have Mr. Cavanagh as our new swimming coach. He’s familiar with our program since his daughter, Rachel, is a member of the team. In addition, he has worked extensively with many of our swimmers as the coach of the Clearbrook Dolphins and through his work as a meet official. We are confident that his experience and knowledge will serve our program well. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be working together to find a highly qualified assistant coach who can begin working with the team before the season starts in November."

Onda is no stranger to the James Wood track and field program. He has served as an assistant coach for the team since 2000 in addition to serving as the head coach of the school’s cross country team since 2004. In 2002 and 2003, Onda served as an assistant coach for the Colonels’ cross country team. In addition to being promoted to serve as the head coach of James Wood’s track and field team, Onda will oversee James Wood’s indoor track program. Indoor track has been added as an official sport this year for the first time since 1994.

Woshner says, "Coach Onda has been a key part of our running program for over 16 years. It was clear to us that with his experience in different event areas, knowledge of the program and ability to get students involved in track, he was the best candidate for the position. We still have two assistant coaching positions to fill and will be concentrating to find the best candidates to round out the track and field staff.”

Onda, who retired as a lieutenant colonel with the United States Marine Corps following a 20-year military career, has been a business teacher at James Wood High School since 1999.

James Wood High School Principal Sam Gross says, “I’m pleased to welcome Coach Cavanagh to the James Wood High School Swimming Team and have Coach Onda step up to lead another of our athletic programs. Both Coach Cavanagh and Coach Onda are committed to helping our teams and student-athletes become successful and will serve as outstanding leaders and role models for the students they will coach.”