Franklin & Marshall College

As a dual sport athlete in field hockey and track & field, it is only natural that Mary Ellen (Gazda) Wilson '89 (or MEG as she was more commonly known among teammates and friends) excelled in the multi-event heptathlon as a member of the track & field team. However, her athletic exploits on the field hockey field were just as impressive. Wilson entered F&M as a backup goalkeeper her freshman year. Realizing the team took a hit to graduation, Wilson came out of the goal and moved onto the field, becoming a forward her sophomore year then settling in as a midfielder her final two seasons with the Diplomats. 

In the ultimate showcase of an athlete's all-around athletic talents, Wilson first qualified for the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at a last chance meet hosted by Mount Saint Mary's University in 1988.  Her total score of 4,179 points still remains on the record books today. Wilson's senior year highlight came at Franklin Field and the prestigious Penn Relays where she was able to qualify a second time for the NCAA Division III competition.She eventually capped her career with a 14th place finish on the national stage.

Needing a diversity of skill throughout seven different events to compete with the best heptathletes in the country, Wilson accomplished that and so much more during her time at Franklin & Marshall. With a wide focus on multiple events, Wilson still won the Middle Atlantic Conference 100 meter hurdle championship as a senior after claiming silver during the previous year. Following her remarkable career, Wilson had set indoor records in the 55-meter hurdles (9.1 seconds), 4x400 relay (4:53.6), and shot put (30'10.25"). During her outdoor season, she additionally bested school records in the 200-meter dash (26.39), high jump (5' 2.5"), 4x100m relay (51.0), and 4x110yd relay (52.0) – on top of her heptathlon record. She was also the facility record holder at F&M's Williamson Field in the 100 meters and high jump.

Adding to the athletic allure of Wilson's track & field resume was the fact that she did not even turn her attention fully to the track & field season until she finished helping the field hockey to success during the fall semester. Wilson started off her record-breaking senior season by earning first-team All-Mid Atlantic Conference honors. Contributing to the Diplomats' success in a number of facets, F&M made three trips to the postseason with Wilson on the team. That included first place finishes in the MAC's Southwest Division during the 1985 and 1986 campaigns. Fittingly enough, it was Wilson who was right in the midst of that success as she ranked second on the team in both goals (5) and points (13) during F&M's second of back-to-back division titles. Wilson's sophomore season was certainly a non-stop thrill ride as the year began early in August when the field hockey team had the chance to train in the Netherlands on a tour guided by F&M alumni, Stans Goudsmit and Liesbeth Nicolas.

As a decorated student-athlete, Wilson was honored as the recipient of the Michael T.M. Karvasales '35 Outstanding Female Athlete following her senior season. She graduated from the college with a degree in mathematics. Being able to use both components of her Franklin & Marshall experience, Wilson began a teaching career at The Pingry School in Somerset County, New Jersey where she also helped others pursue their athletic pursuits as a coach. She taught math within the high school and was an assistant coach for both the field hockey and track & field programs. Additionally, she gave of her time as a service advisor for the Upper School Forms.

The proud mother of two children, Wilson left the teaching profession to raise her family in 1995 but continued to volunteer her time on a weekly basis. Most recently, Wilson has learned the inside of running a small business at a local bagel shop. Although she is technically "retired", Wilson still gives generously of her time by volunteering in her local community.