Franklin & Marshall's Director of Athletics and Recreation, Patricia S.W. Epps, announced the hiring of John D. Stoudt of Lancaster as the College's Cross Country Coach. Stoudt has served the college as an assistant coach since November of the current academic year. He will assume his new post immediately.

"In his short time with the Track and Field team, John has quickly demonstrated that he is a perfect fit for the department and college," said Epps. "We are thrilled he will be joining us in this added capacity."

Stoudt is intimately familiar with the local running scene. He served as the Head Cross Country Coach at Lancaster Catholic from 2001 through 2005, and as the Head Track & Field Coach at Lancaster Catholic from 2004 through 2006. He also served as a volunteer assistant coach at Conestoga Valley for several seasons.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to coach at this level," said Stoudt. "Franklin & Marshall is truly a great school. The bar is set pretty high within the Conference, and I look forward to competing at that level."

Stoudt is an accomplished runner, having won local races such as the Market Street Mile and the Master's title at Shiver by the River Winter Series. He has also run with group of local elite runners that claimed several long distance relays throughout the Mid-Atlantic and out West on courses ranging from 70 to 200 miles.

Stoudt graduated from Kutztown with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, and completed his Masters in Education, Sports Management, at Millersville University in December of 2007. He is the Program Director at Prescott House, which provides residential care services for trouble teenagers.

A 2005 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, Thompson returned to F&M in the fall of 2005 following a standout career for the Diplomats.

The 2004 Tom Floyd Award and 2005 Iannicelli Award recipient, he holds the indoor 400 meters (49.94) and 500 meters (1:05.83) records at the College. Thompson also served as captain for the 2005 squad.

He cemented his spot among the school's top sprinters by earning silver in the 400m (48.90) at the 2002 Centennial Conference (CC) Outdoor T&F Championships before winning the 400 meters (50.29) at the 2004 CC Indoor T&F Championships hosted by Haverford College. At the 2004 CC Outdoor Championships, he placed sixth in the 800 meters (1:57.76) to qualify for the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship meet at Williams College.

A member of the 4X100 relay (43.07) that established a school record in 2002, he also won the 800m race (1:56.00) at the 2003 F&M Invitational. Thompson again excelled in relays as he joined Jon Brailler, David Dennis and Cliff Smith to place 12th in the 4x400 relay (3:29.27) at the 2004 Penn Relays hosted by the University of Pennsylvania.