Washington and Lee University Women's Lacrosse

Maddie Coleman was tabbed to be the third Women's Lacrosse Head Coach in Washington and Lee University's history on August 1, 2022.    W&L ACCOMPLISHMENTS (55-11, 27-0 ODAC) ODAC Champions (2023, 2024, 2025) NCAA Regional Semifinals Appearance (2023, 2024, 2025) NCAA Regional Finals Appearance (2024) 13x All-American Selections 21x IWLCA All-Region Selections 6x ODAC Player of the Year Selections 2x ODAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Selections 17x All-ODAC Selections 5x CSC Academic All-District Selections One CSC Academic All-American, First Team  Three IWLCA Academic Honor Squad awards (2023, 2024, 2025)   AWARDS, HONORS & CERTIFICATIONS ODAC Coach of the Year (2023) VaSID Coach of the Year (2023, 2024) IWLCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year (2023) IWLCA/Nike Outstanding Assistant Coach of the Year (2018)   COACHING RESUME Washington and Lee (2022-Present) Denison University (2014-22) Associate Head Coach (2019-22) Assistant Coach (2014-19) Seven North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championships Seven NCAA Tournament Appearances Six IWLCA All-Americans 2013 Head Coach at Glenalmond College (Scotland) 2013 Assistant Coach U19 Scotland National Team   PLAYING CAREER (GETTYSBURG) 2012 IWLCA All-American First Team All-Centennial (2011, 2012) 2011 NCAA DIII National Champion   COLEMAN YEAR-BY-YEAR YEAR RECORD ODAC RECORD ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2025 18-5 10-0 NCAA Regional Semifinals  ODAC Champions 1x CSC Academic All-America, First Team 2x CSC Academic All-District Selections 3x All-American Selections 6x IWLCA All-Region Selections 2x ODAC Player of the Year Selections ODAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Selection 9x All-ODAC Selections 2024 18-4 9-0 NCAA Regional Finalist  ODAC Champions 5x All-American Selections 7x IWLCA All-Region Selections 2x ODAC Player of the Year Selections ODAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Selection 8x All-ODAC Selections IWLCA Academic Honor Squad 3x CSC Academic All-District Selections 2023 19-2 8-0 NCAA Regional Semifinals  ODAC Champions ODAC Coach of the Year Award 5x All-American Selections 8x IWLCA All-Region Selections 2x ODAC Player of the Year Selections 9x All-ODAC Selections IWLCA Academic Honor Squad AT W&L: 55-11 27-0 3x ODAC Champions 2x NCAA Regional Semifinalists 1x Regional Finals Appearance 13x All-American Selections 21x IWLCA All-Region Selections 6x ODAC Player of the Year Selections 2x ODAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Selections 17x All-ODAC Selections 5x CSC Academic All-District Selections 1x CSC Academic All-American 3x IWLCA Academic Honor Squad awards

Washington and Lee University has named Chris Mitchell as Associate Professor of Physical Education and the fourth Head Riding Coach in program history on Monday, July 7, 2025.  Mitchell brings more than three decades of elite experience in the equestrian world, having coached and trained numerous national-caliber riders across collegiate, preparatory, and open circuits. A native of Virginia and longtime steward of the sport, Mitchell most recently served as Interim Director and Hunt Seat Head Coach at Albion College in Michigan, where he guided the program to immediate regional and national success. “It is a privilege to welcome Chris to the W&L community as our next head coach of riding,” said Hathorn. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the collegiate equestrian world to the role. He is passionate about teaching, training, and connecting, with students and horses, and his demonstrated success throughout his career underscores why he was our top choice. I’m excited to see what the future brings, and I am looking forward to working and serving beside Chris as he begins this journey.” At Albion, Mitchell developed a championship-contending program in just his first season. He coached six riders to Zone 6 Region 1 Championships and led the team to multiple honors, including a Zone Championship title and a 10th-place finish at IHSA Nationals in its inaugural year. In 2025, his riders captured Reserve National Champion in Open Flat and a 9th-place finish in Open Fences. Mitchell previously spent seven years at Randolph College as Director of Riding and Head Coach. There, he rebuilt the program into a regional and national contender, coaching a National Champion, Reserve Champion, and multiple Top Ten National finishers. His 2018 team captured the ODAC title and earned him ODAC Coach of the Year honors. Before Randolph, Mitchell helmed the Cornell University program for 13 years, transforming it into an Ivy League powerhouse. His teams won four Ivy League Championships and produced 11 IHSA National qualifiers, with seven finishing in the Top Ten nationally. He also led Cornell to its first regular season regional title and a historic appearance in the IHSA Cacchione Cup. In addition to collegiate coaching, Mitchell served as Director of Jumper Programs for the U.S. Hunter Jumper Association from 2019–23, managing national-level events such as the Zone Jumper Team Championships and Gold Star Clinics. His administrative leadership helped launch a new National Championship format to expand high-level competition opportunities across the country. Mitchell has also been active as an equestrian clinician and consultant since 2000, delivering instruction in horsemanship, barn management, and rider development across the U.S. He holds membership and leadership roles in several governing bodies, including the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), where he serves as Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee and Vice Chair of the National Hunter Seat Committee. “I am honored to join the Generals community and help steward the future of W&L Riding,” said Mitchell. “Washington and Lee’s commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with my passion for developing exceptional student-athletes and equine programs. I am grateful to Director Hathorn and the university for this opportunity.” A graduate of Longwood University, Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and holds an Associate’s Degree in Business from Westchester Community College. In May 2025, he received the IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to his enduring contributions to collegiate equestrian sport, and has additional professional affiliations with USHJA, USEF, PHA, and the SWVHJA.  Mitchell is slated to begin on August 4, 2025 and usher the Generals Equestrian program into a new era. 

Avery Blackmon joined Head Coach Maddie Coleman as the full time assistant coach for the women's lacrosse program in January 2023.   W&L ACCOMPLISHMENTS (55-11, 27-0 ODAC) ODAC Champions (2023, 2024, 2025) NCAA Regional Semifinals Appearance (2023, 2024, 2025) NCAA Regional Finals Appearance (2024) 13 All-American Selections 21 IWLCA All-Region Selections Six ODAC Player of the Year Selections Two ODAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Selections One Pre Brown Outstanding Senior Women's Sport Award winner 17 All-ODAC Selections Five CSC Academic All-District Selections One CSC Academic All-American, First Team  Three IWLCA Academic Honor Squad awards (2023, 2024, 2025)   AWARDS, HONORS & CERTIFICATIONS IWLCA National Coaching Staff of the Year Nominee (2023) IWLCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year (2023) Blackmon Selected for IWLCA Inaugural ASPIRE Program (2025)   COACHING RESUME Washington and Lee (2023-Present) Assistant Coach at Central Michigan (2021-22) Assistant Coach at Hartwick College (2019-2021) Fast and Furious Travel Lacrosse (2017-19)   PLAYING CAREER (GEORGETOWN COLLEGE) 4x NAIA First Team All-America selection 4x First Team All-NWLL selection 2019 NAIA Player of the Year NWLL Conference Player of the Year NWLL Rookie of the Year 3x NAIA National Tournament participant  2016 NAIA National Tournament runner-up     

Emily Guyer completed in her second season as an assistant riding coach at Washington and Lee in 2019-20. Guyer joined the Generals after serving as the assistant to the director of riding at Bridgewater College from 2012-18 and as a trainer and instructor at Windy Springs Farm since 1995.  Her equine experience also includes serving as the director of riding for Camp Mt. Shenandoah, serving as a customer service manager with FoxDen Equine, Inc., and serving as a recruiter and stable assistant at Wesleyan (Ga.) College. Guyer is a 2001 graduate of Wesleyan with a bachelor of arts in interpersonal communication.  She completed master’s degree courses in vocational education from James Madison University from 2009-11 and she earned a master’s degree in exercise and sports psychology from Argosy University in 2017. In addition to her equine experiences, Guyer has also served in a variety of roles at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville, Va.