One of the most decorated athletes ever at WPI, Kerri Coleman's
name is still scattered across the WPI track and field record
board. A two-time All-American, she still holds all five of the
WPI's throwing records.
Coleman wasted no time becoming a force on the New England
collegiate track and field circuit. During her freshman year in
2000, she earned All-New England status three times and was a New
England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) champion in
the javelin. She placed fifth in the indoor New Englands in the
shot put (40-0) and second and fifth in the javelin (37.96 m) and
shot put (12.02 m), respectively, during the outdoor season.
"Kerri played a pivotal role in transforming women's track and
field at WPI," said head coach Dan Green. "From Day One she had a
way of pushing and motivating people without saying a word. Believe
me, as any one who knew her can attest, Kerri said plenty."
Her sophomore year was capped by earning the Carolyn McCabe
Award at the annual athletics award banquet. She dominated the
NEWMAC championships that spring by winning the title in both the
shot put (41-4.50 ) and the javelin. (113-8).
The next year saw Coleman pick up her first of two All-America
awards after placing fourth in the shot put (45.02 m) at the NCAA
Indoor championships. She continued to be a force at the NEWMAC
championships, winning the shot put (46-7.75) and the discus
(155-0) while placing second in the discus. She won the ECAC
outdoor championships in the shot put (13.60 m) and took home third
in the hammer (45.02). She also qualified for the outdoor NCAA
Champions and registered 12th in the shot put (42-8.25) and 15th in
the hammer (142-4).
Her senior year began with a repeat performance at the NCAA
indoor championships. She finished second in the shot put at the
ECAC championships (13.56 m), and seventh at the NCAAs (44-8) en
route to another All-America award. She continued her dominance at
the NEWMAC championships, winning her sixth career title by
capturing the gold in the shot put (12.47m) and taking home third
place finishes in both hammer throw (44.66m) and discus (35.26m).
She also earned a fifth place finish at the ECAC outdoor
championships in the shot put (39.7.25). At that year's athletics
awards banquet, she was honored with the Varsity Club Award,
presented to the most outstanding senior female athlete.
Coleman's place in WPI history still exists. She holds the
school record in the shot put (45-10), discus (134-6), hammer throw
(155-0), javelin (128-2) and weight throw (47-6.50). She earned
All-New England status seven times and won six NEWMAC
championships.
"Kerri's commitment to excellence in academics and athletics was
impressive, but her raw potential and work ethic are legendary,"
said her throws coach Bill Cotter. "Although her individual records
may be threatened or even surpassed in the years to come, her
overall achievement while at WPI can never be challenged."
Coleman, who hails from Rehoboth, Mass, graduated from WPI in
2003 with a degree in biochemistry.
She currently is a chemistry and anatomy and physiology teacher
at Canton High School. She married former teammate Matt Oldmixon in
2006; the couple resides in Somerset.
