A new school year marks a new season of Wellesley Blue sports, as well as new additions to the coaching and sporting faculty.
One of the newest additions to the Wellesley coaching staff is Ariana Klinkov, head coach for Wellesley fencing. She has 16 years of teaching experience and previously served as head coach at Phillips Exeter Academy, Concord Carlisle High School and Tufts University. She was also the first woman to referee Sabre at the world championships and to referee a gold medal match at that level.
“One key area we will focus on for Wellesley fencing is building an effective and supportive team dynamic. Another is increasing the awareness of Wellesley’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) fencing program around the country and showcasing Wellesley’s commitment to the team’s development,” Klinkov said.
The fencing team looks forward to an exciting season ahead. In addition to Klinkov, the fencing team also welcomes Rob Charleton as the epée coach.
“I am really looking forward to getting started with practices and giving lessons. I am excited that Rob Charleton has joined the staff as épée coach. In addition to Fritz Chang in Foil we have a great foundation for the team’s development,” Klinkov said. “The staff and students have made me feel incredibly welcome and at home. Everyone is so helpful.”
Wellesley tennis also welcomes a new assistant coach, Kelly Barry. She has had experience as a tennis player, which includes traveling and spending time with her tennis team, and now plans to experience tennis as a coach. The Wellesley tennis team has great ambitions this season and aims to be highly competitive within its conference. Wellesley tennis kicked off the season with a 9-0 win against Assumption College.
“This season we will be focusing on how to take our team to the next level. We have a great group of girls, and this being my debut season as a college coach makes me eager to see what kind of impact I can make on the program,” Coach Barry said. “Besides getting our fall season started, I’m looking forward to our spring break trip.”
Wellesley lacrosse introduced Lauren Schoenberger as its new head coach. The lacrosse team had a successful season last year with a winning record of 9-5 and an appearance in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference tournament. The team’s focus for the upcoming season is to build upon the previous year’s success.
“I am looking forward to seeing the team progress this year. We have a great group of first years, and strong, driven returners. I am excited to see them grow together and push for continued competitive success,” Schoenberger said. “My favorite part of joining Wellesley Blue has been working with my team. These young women are incredibly passionate about their academic and athletic pursuits, and their enthusiasm and drive are contagious.”
Robert Miles worked at Wellesley as the interim sports information director last year and was hired full time in last July. One of his current focuses is to determine how to best to share news about what students are doing both on and off the field. He is also looking forward to hosting more events in the Dorothy Towne Fieldhouse and is excited to host Wellesley basketball games and a volleyball tournament this fall.
“I’m always looking for new and better ways to spread the word about Wellesley student-athletes and this year I’m hoping to do that more through social media,” Miles said. “It was a lot of fun to cover three conference championships, multiple NCAA appearances and an NCAA National Champion. We have a lot of talented student-athletes and I love watching them compete at the highest level and then being able to share their stories with students, families, fans, and alumnae.”
Wellesley Blue sports can be followed on Twitter (@WellesleyBlue), Instagram (@wellesleyathletics) and Facebook (/wellesleyathletics).
Photo courtesy of Wellesley Blue
Ivy Jiang ’18 is the Sports & Wellness Editor who is majoring in Economics. When she is not studying, she is probably following the NBA, reading, watching emotional films, eating or leisurely exercising. Feel free to contact her at ijiang@wellesley.edu.