Jay Hartshorn - Head Women's Coach/Sprints/Field Events

In 2005-06, Jennifer “Jay” Hartshorn takes over as head coach of women's cross country and track and field. Hartshorn succeeds Carolyn Court, who retired in 2005 after 25 years at Bates.

"I have known Carolyn Court for over 15 years," Hartshorn said. "I have such great respect for her and the program that she has created at Bates. It is an honor to be following in her footsteps of someone of such high caliber."

Hartshorn comes to Bates from Syracuse University, where she served as the top assistant in the track and field program since 2001. She coached the cross country teams and led Syracuse's distance runners in indoor and outdoor track and field.

Hartshorn, who recently served as a coach at the Pan American Junior Athletics Championship, holds USA Track and Field Levels I and II certifications.

From 1999 to 2001, Hartshorn was the assistant coach of cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field at Smith College, where she earned her master's degree in exercise and sports studies. Previously, she was assistant indoor and outdoor track and field coach at her alma mater, Colby College, where she graduated in 1995 with a government major. At Colby, Hartshorn was an Academic All-American and NCAA qualifier in cross country, a three-time NCAA All-American in indoor and outdoor track and field, and captain of Colby's indoor and outdoor track and field teams.

As a veteran of the NESCAC sports scene, Hartshorn is glad to be back in the highly competitive academic and athletic milieu. "I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity to belong to such a great athletic program and athletic conference. NESCAC provides such a great balance for student-athletes competitively and academically," she said.