CROSS COUNTRY - Lofton named new Colonels coach

WINCHESTER — James Wood High School has named Matt Lofton its new cross country coach.

Lofton, a 1997 James Wood graduate, replaces Mike Onda, who retired in January after 16 seasons at the post.

From 2010-2019, Lofton served as the assistant cross country and assistant indoor track coach at Millbrook High School. He also served as the co-head track coach at Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School from 2011-2019.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to return to my alma mater and lead the cross country program,” Lofton said in a news release. “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.”

“Matt has been a well-known part of the local running community for many years,” James Wood High School Coordinator of Student Activities Craig Woshner said in the release. “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.”