Cross Country

Coaches

Coach Frances McNally

fmcnally@vmahs.org

Frances McNally began coaching at Villa Maria prior to the 2022 outdoor track & field season. She joins the Villa Maria community after successful coaching stints at Interboro and Marple Newtown High Schools. 

Frances McNally is a graduate of Springfield high school where she earned 12 varsity letters and was captain of the cross country and track & field teams during her junior and senior years. She holds a cross country district medal and a track & field state medal. She was a 5-time state qualifier throughout her career. 

Frances ran cross country and track & field for four years at Kutztown University, where she earned a degree in Sports Management. At Kutztown, she was a two-time all-conference runner, team captain, recipient of the Coach’s Award in 2014, and was selected as the MVP of the 2013 Cross Country season. 

Presently, Frances competes in road races anywhere from 5ks to marathons. She has competed in the Philadelphia Half Marathon, Philadelphia Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon, and the Rehoboth Beach Marathon.

Rachel Ryan

Rachel Ryan is a 1997 graduate of Villa Maria Academy. During her 4 years at Villa, she was a member and captain of the Cross Country and Track teams, and was the recipient of the Coaches Award in Track her Senior year. She joined the Villa XC coaching staff in 2015 as an assistant coach for Villa long time coach, Phil Genther. She served as XC Head Coach from 2017-2019, and has currently returned to a role as assistant coach for the 2020 season.

Prior to Villa, Rachel was Head XC Coach at The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA from 2008-2014. Rachel earned her degree in Finance from James Madison University, and also works part time at a local accounting firm. Rachel is married and has 3 young children, and resides in Wayne, PA. When she isn’t busy running all over town with her kids, Rachel is still an avid runner. She has run the Marine Corps Marathon, Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon, and Palm Beach Marathon, but more recently likes to stick to running more local races in Philly and down the shore.