HANOVER, N.H. - The Dartmouth track and field teams have announced the hirings of Michelle Clayton and William Thomas with the two taking over the field events for the Big Green.

“When we started the search process to replace Carl, the universal response we had was that we had big shoes to fill,” said men's head coach Barry Harwick. “I think we lived up to that challenge and that Will Thomas and Michelle Clayton will be a great addition to our staff. They have the combination of success as national class athletes, experience in coaching at great academic schools, and a genuine love for our sport that we searched long and hard for. I am sure our athletes can't wait to start working with them.”

“I am extremely excited and pleased to welcome our two new assistant coaches to the program, said Sandy Ford-Centonze. “Both Will and Michele will bring excitement and a continued commitment to building a successful program. The athletes will benefit from their experience and knowledge of their event areas.”

Clayton comes to Hanover following two seasons as an assistant coach at Duke University. Blue Devil throwers set multiple records and she had four athletes qualify for NCAA regionals. Clayton coached a freshman to the IC4A title and All-America honors in the javelin. Prior to her experience with the Blue Devils, she was a strength and conditioning coach at East Carolina and Virginia Tech. Clayton has also been a personal trainer and was a special events coordinator for the East Carolina Educational Program.

A 2000 graduate of East Carolina, Clayton earned her degree in Exercise Physiology and also earned a Master's at East Carolina in Education in Physical Education and Athletic Administration. She was a member of the women's track and field team for the Pirates and Clayton earned All-America honors in the hammer throw in 1999 and also won titles at ECACs in the 20lb weight throw and hammer throw during the same season. She is the record holder in the hammer throw for the Colonial Athletic Association.

“I am very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of Dartmouth Athletics and be able to coach some of the brightest student-athletes in the world,” said Clayton. “I look forward to carrying on the rich tradition in the throws that Coach Wallin has built here. This is a wonderful place and I feel honored to be a part of it.”

William Thomas makes the trip north to Hanover after three years as an assistant coach at Harvard. During his time with the Crimson he mentored 14 All-Ivy performers, eight Heptagonal champions, three NCAA qualifiers, two NCAA All-Americans and six school record holders. He was also the coordinator of recruiting for the Harvard track and field team.

Prior to working with the Crimson, Thomas was a volunteer assistant at the University of California Berkeley, where he assisted in all of the aspects of the team.

A three-time All-America selection at the University of Connecticut and two-time captain, Thomas holds the Big East Conference meet record for the decathlon and pentathlon and won eight conference championships and was a two-time winner of the field MVP award. In addition to his accolades in the Big East, he was a four-time IC4A champion in multi-events. He also was runner-up in the decathlon at NCAAs in 2003.

A 2005 graduate of UConn, he earned a degree in kinesiology and following graduation he was a coaching intern with his alma mater for one season before moving on to Berkeley.

It is an honor to join the Dartmouth coaching staff,” said Thomas. “I look forward to the challenge of filling the big shoes that Coach Wallin has left and I am excited to continue and grow the tradition of Big Green Track and Field.”