For Immediate Release
Contact: Steve Edwards
Coordinator of Policy and Communications
February 6, 2020
Release #686 540-662-3888 x88235

James Wood High School Names New Cross Country Coach

James Wood High School has named Matt Lofton its new cross country coach. Lofton, who is a 1997 graduate of James Wood, succeeds Mike Onda who resigned in January after coaching the Colonels for 16 seasons.

Lofton has a great deal of experience coaching both cross country and track at the middle and high school levels. From 2010-2019, he served as the assistant cross country and assistant indoor track coach at Millbrook High School. In addition, he served as the co-head
track coach at Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School from 2011-2019.

Lofton says, “I’m excited about the opportunity to return to my alma mater and lead the cross country program. I’m looking forward to building upon the success the boys’ and girls’ teams enjoyed this past season as both advanced to the 4A State Championship. Coach Onda set a high standard of excellence during his tenure and I plan to build upon the program’s strong foundation as I assume the role of head coach.”

James Wood High School Coordinator of Student Activities Craig Woshner says, "Matt has been a well-known part of the local running community for many years. He has experienced a great deal of success as a runner himself while coaching elite high school distance runners and developing middle school runners. I am confident he will develop an excellent rapport with our runners and bring the right balance of intensity, challenge and knowledge in order to continue building James Wood’s cross country program into one of the top programs in the state."