NEW LONDON, N.H. – Colby-Sawyer Director of Athletics Mitch Capelle announced on Tuesday morning that Ryan Purrington will be the next head coach of the cross county and track & field program.

"We are excited to welcome Ryan as the next leader of our cross country and track & field programs," said Capelle. "His energy and enthusasim for the sport as well as his experience coaching and recruiting will help us continue to build on the previous success. Go Chargers!"

Purrington arrives to New London following being the Head Cross Country Coach and Assistant Director of Track & Field at Virginia Wesleyan University since May of 2022. In his one year at VWU, Ryan grew the combined cross country roster to 22 student-athletes and led both teams to their best showings at the NCAA Regional since 2016.

""I'm fired up to be granted this opportunity to take the helm of the cross country and track & field teams here at Colby-Sawyer", said Purrington. "From the moment I came on to campus, it felt like home with how welcoming the community was.

I really enjoyed meeting the team and coaching staff and am very excited to work with this passionate, hard-working group to build on our success in the GNAC and taking on the rest of New England and Division-III.  

Our focus will be building a team-focused culture centered on becoming the best we can be on and off the track.  My future wife, Madelaine, and I can't wait to return home to New England and get started.

Charge On!"

Prior to Virginia Wesleyan University, Purrington was at Randolph College for four years, where Ryan grew through the ranks starting as an assistant coach and ending his four years as the director of cross country and track & field. In his tenure at Randolph College, Purrington coached 42 new school records, a NCAA national qualifier in indoor and outdoor, three all-region honors, a pair of  conference champions, and the highest cross country conference and regional championship finishes in program history.

Purrington graduated from Randolph College with a bachelors of arts in history with a minor in sports and exercise science in 2014, while also getting his masters of arts in teaching in 2015. 

Recruits - Colby-Sawyer College Athletics (colby-sawyerathletics.com)

For the latest on Colby-Sawyer Athletics, follow the Chargers on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CSCathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/CSCathletics) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/CSCathletics).