LANCASTER, Pa. – The Franklin & Marshall cross country and track & field teams have announced multiple key additions to the teams' coaching staffs for the 2026-27 academic year. Head men's and women's cross country coach John Stoudt has been elevated to a full-time position where he will continue to lead the F&M cross country team and train the distance runners during the track & field season. Additionally, Maria Henly and Chris Myers will join the Diplomats as assistant coaches for both cross country and track & field.

John Stoudt

John Stoudt begins 19th season leading the Diplomats' cross country team this fall. Some of his most recent teams have been the most successful in recent history. The men's team has finished in the top 20 at the regional championships during 11 of the past 13 seasons, while the women's eighth place finish in 2021 was team's best placement this century.

Stoudt's most credentialed individual during his tenure was recent Hall of Fame inductee Sheena Crawley '13 who was an eight-time All-American for the Diplomats. More recently, Stoudt has coached the 4x800 relay to a Centennial Conference Championship meet record. His runners have broken eight Centennial Conference records during his time coaching the distance events.

Maria Henly

Maria Henly joins the cross country and track & field staffs as a full-time assistant where she has nearly 10 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level. She most recently served as an associate head coach at Ursinus where she helped the bears capture two Centennial Conference Outdoor Track & Field team championships (2023, 24) on the men's side.

Henly brings a vast knowledge of coaching multiple events to the Diplomats' staff. In addition to working with distance runners as a cross country coach, she was instrumental in helping Ursinus develop numerous all-conference and all-region performers in the sprints, jumps, and hurdles during the track & field season. She was also vital in the team's recruiting efforts that resulted in back-to-back conference championships.

"I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the rich history of Franklin & Marshall cross country and track & field. Thank you to head coaches Carl Schnabel and John Stoudt, along with the athletic department, for bringing me onto the staff," said Henly. "Stepping into this chapter and coaching position at F&M feels like home. I feel with my tenure in coaching, along with previous experience in the Centennial Conference, I will bring a lot to the programs! I cannot wait to get started. Go Diplomats!"

As a part of the Centennial Conference Coaching Staff of the Year, Henly helped the Bears set three Centennial Conference records and four school records during her tenure. She additionally coached the 4x400 relay team to a Penn Relays Championship for the first time in school history before that group went on to place 12th at the 2023 NCAA Division III Championships.

Prior to joining the staff at Ursinus, Henly served as the head men's and women's cross country and track & field coach at Chestnut Hill University for two seasons. Before making a jump to the head coaching ranks, Henly got her start in coaching at the Division I level as she worked at St. Joseph's (Pa.), Xavier, and Temple. At each of these institutions, Henly worked extensively with the cross country teams and distance runners while assisting in several other events.

Chris Myers

Chris Myers is set to begin his duties with the cross country team while additionally assisting with the track & field teams. Myers is a 2020 graduate of nearby Elizabethtown College where he was a Landmark Conference Champion at both the 5K and 10K distances. Myers was also a multiple-time all-conference selection in cross country where he placed as high as fourth at the Landmark Championships.

"I'm honored to join the F&M family and contribute to the proud tradition of Diplomats cross country and track & field," stated Myers. "I look forward to helping our student-athletes reach their full potential, building on the program's success, and inspiring the next generation of Diplomats."

Since graduating from Elizabethtown with a degree in computer science, he has founded the Myers Run Project which helps track & field athletes realize their full potential. A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he attended Lancaster Catholic, Myers first began coaching at the School District of Lancaster for three years before founding his own training company. In addition to coaching, Myers also stays active in races and has competed in several marathons.

The men's and women's cross country teams open their 2026 seasons at home with the Little Three Meet on Tuesday, September 1.