By Lauren Zedlar
Elm Staff Writer
Washington College Athletics welcomed five new assistant coaches and one head coach to the athletic staff for the 2021-2022 academic school year.
Dylan Nepert ’21 returns to WC Athletics as the assistant baseball coach after graduating.
Coach Nepert acted as an infielder and catcher for the Shoremen and served as a team captain his senior year.
The former Shoreman collected 24 base hits while playing and was named an All-American by the National Strength and Conditioning Association during his 2019-2020 season.
“As a player, I enjoyed everything about my athletic experience,” Coach Nepert said. “I truly believe in the potential and future of this program and am excited to be able to continue to contribute to that as a coach.”
The next addition to WC Athletics is the Assistant Field Hockey Coach Madeline Taylor.
Coach Taylor is joining the WC field hockey program after her career at Susquehanna University, from which she graduated in 2020.
She was team captain her senior year, made the Dean’s List all four years, and achieved Academic Honor Roll three times.
She also helped her respective team win the Landmark Conference and play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Tournament.
“I hope to be an ally and mentor for [the field hockey team] as female student-athletes, and relate to them through my experiences both on and off the field,” Coach Taylor said.
The WC women’s soccer team added a new assistant coach to their program, Dima Kaliakin ’17, another former Shoreman from the men’s soccer team.
During his playing career at WC, Coach Kaliakin was a four-year starter, a two-year captain, named Team MVP twice, and earned All-Centennial Conference honors.
“Like so many others, I am excited that we are back playing together as a team and that we are scheduled to play a full season of games,” Coach Kaliakin said. “I am excited to see [our] hard work pay off.”
The WC men’s soccer team also welcomed Assistant Coach Ryan Shera.
Coach Shera played at St. Mary’s of Annapolis High School under the current head coach of the WC men’s soccer team, Roy Dunshee.
Coach Shera moved on to play at the collegiate level at Fordham University and Dickinson College.
“He has played and studied the game at a very high level for many years and he is a dynamic field coach,” Coach Dunshee said. “He is also a veteran of our Conference, and our team will benefit greatly from his knowledge and his teaching abilities.”
Coach Shera holds certifications with the United Soccer Coaches, U.S. Soccer National Youth, and the United States Soccer Federation license. He has also studied coaching across Europe with the World Football Academy.
The next addition to WC Athletics comes to the women’s basketball program with Ali Trani as the new assistant coach.
Coach Trani played at the collegiate level as a former point guard at University of North Carolina Asheville.
She started 46 games as a Bullfrog and won two Big South Championships during her time there. As a student, Coach Trani made the Chancellor’s List all four years and made the Dean’s List her senior year.
“Her energy and passion are contagious,” WC Women’s Basketball Head Coach Alisha Mosley said. “Ali’s attention to detail and commitment to development really sets her apart and I can’t wait for her to get started.”
Before becoming a member of WC Athletics, Coach Trani assistant coached at Mercer University, where she helped lead the team to the Southern Conference Championship.
Finally, the WC men’s lacrosse team welcomes back former Shoremen John Nostrant ’86 as head coach.
After an impressive collegiate lacrosse career, Coach Nostrant was inducted to the Shoremen Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.
He was a three-time NCAA Division III All-American midfielder, playing in three NCAA Division III National Championship games.
Coach Nostrant went on to play professionally in the Major League Lacrosse and in the National Lacrosse League. “We are very fortunate to have someone with John’s accomplishments and experience lead our team into the next chapter of Shoremen lacrosse,” WC Head Athletic Director Thad Moore said. “His passion was very evident during the interview process and he will be a wonderful addition to the program and College as a whole.”
Photo by Izze Rios