Coaching Staff

As a staff, our goal is to help our students improve as athletes and promote a healthy lifestyle.  We work with the our athletes, helping them to set reasonable goals and develop a positive self image through their efforts and accomplishments as runners.  

Mr. Sturtevant is in his 11th year as the NAMS XC coach.  He ran cross country for four years and track for three years at North Andover High School, helping the Knights to the Cape Ann League cross country championship in his senior year.  He still runs road and cross country races all over New England and assists with the North Andover Youth Track program in the spring. Additionally, he works with the North Andover High School indoor and outdoor track teams which have won several championships including three straight indoor state relay meet titles and both the indoor and outdoor state championship.    

Mr. O'Connell is entering his fifth season on the staff. He has been a member of the NAHS indoor and outdoor track coaching staff for the last five years. Prior to joining NAMSXC, Coach O'Connell worked as an assistant cross country coach at Central Catholic in Lawrence where he was also a runner. 

Ms. Christina Minnacucci joined us in 2016.  She is a member of the Merrimack Valley Striders Running Club and is an active member of the local running community as well as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. All of her children were members of the NAMSXC program during their middle school years. 

Ms. Crissy Lippman is returning for her fourth season. She is a member of the Merrimack Valley Striders and was an accomplished high school runner at North Andover High School. Her two children also participated in the program. 

Nicole Parker is a reading teacher at NAMS. She ahs been a long time coach and avid runner. As a fun fact, she has completed a marathon in every state of New England and actively participates in local running clubs including the Joseph Middlemiss Team Big Heart Charity team. She hopes to pass along her knowldege of the sport and love of runningo to all previous and current athletes.

Leigha Leavitt joins the staff this year as our alumni coach. Leigha ran for NAMSXC for three years and was an integral part to the highest finish the girls team has had at the state championship meet. She also competed at North Andover High School, helping the girls team win the Clipper Relays.