Bellevue Community College Athletic Director Bill O’Connor has named former assistant coach Karly Wade as the new head of the Men’s and Women’s Cross Country Program, replacing Jenn Marsh who stepped down in May.

“I am very excited to be able to turn to a familiar face in selecting Karly Wade to take over the cross country program here at BCC” said O’Connor. “She has expressed a high level of enthusiasm and demonstrated a professionalism that I am confident will provide stability and competitive growth within the program.”

Wade served as an assistant coach under Stella Orechia in the fall of 2006 as part of an internship for the University of Washington’s Masters of Education in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership program. She completed the program and earned her degree in June of 2007.

Prior to coming to BCC, Wade earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Anderson University in Anderson, Ind., while competing as a captain of the varsity cross country and track teams. She also served as the head coach for Girls’ Cross Country and Track at Tri North Middle School in Bloomington Ind., and holds a level one coaching certification from USA Track and Field.

“I am very excited about the challenge of building a perennially successful program here at BCC”, said Wade. “With BCC being the third largest college in the state, there are great resources and a tremendous amount of opportunity here. I am looking forward to helping our student-athletes develop a sense for the greater running community, as well as teaching lifelong competitive skills through intercollegiate competition.”