Caroline Ehrhardt named Head Coach of Mustangs Track & Field team

London, ON – Western Sports & Recreation is excited to announce Caroline Ehrhardt as the new Head Coach of the Mustangs Track & Field team.

A four-time U SPORTS champion, she also holds the Western, OUA, and U SPORTS records in triple jump. Ehrhardt has also spent the past four years as an assistant coach (jumps coach) with the Mustangs.



"I am excited to have the opportunity to have a positive impact on more people. I am very passionate and enthusiastic, not just about our sport but about helping others be the best that they can be." said Ehrhardt "The most rewarding part of being a coach is having front row seats when it comes to the growth of our student athletes. I look forward to being able to give more, do more, and have a further-reaching impact as the new Head Coach."

She graduated from Western in 2015 with a degree in Health Science and was named the recipient of the G. Howard Ferguson Award as well as the F.W.P. Jones Trophy winner that year.



"After a diligent nationwide search, the hiring committee is very pleased to welcome Caroline as our new Head Coach of the Mustang Track & Field team," said Christine Stapleton, Mustangs Director of Sports and Recreation. "Caroline has shown extreme pride in being a Mustang, not only in her time as a student athlete but also with her dedicated term as an assistant coach with the program. These factors, mixed with her purple and proud passion, made her a tremendous selection to lead our program into the future." 

In her four years as an assistant coach, she has already been named an OUA & U SPORTS Assistant Coach of the Year. She also spent the 2024/25 season as part of the U SPORTS Female Apprentice coaching program, working alongside her mentor Vickie Croley.



"It is such a unique opportunity to be stepping into this role with the team coming off their most successful year in program history. Success leaves crumbs and I am committed to upholding many of the traditions, strategies and values that have allowed this program to reach the pinnacle - and most importantly consistently provide out student-athletes with a positive experience," said Ehrhardt "At the same time, I am eager to bring in new ideas and leave my own mark on this storied program. I am eager to grow with our student athletes and continuously evolve into the leader they need me to be."

Ehrhardt also has a storied international athletic career. She is a six-time National Team member, a ten-time Canadian champion, the first Canadian woman to jump over 14 meters outdoors in triple jump and a Canadian record holder in triple jump at 14.03m.

"When we were looking for someone to succeed the legendary career of Vickie Croley, it was never going to be easy, but Caroline's close connection to the program and level of enthusiasm for the student athletes on our team made her an ideal candidate for this position," said CJ Ireland, Mustangs Director of Sport. "We look forward to seeing how Caroline continues to shape the success of the program for years to come."



Ehrhardt is looking forward to the challenge ahead, after the historical success of the 2024/25 season.

"For the first time in a long time, we will be the team with the target on our back. I will strive to keep our team's values and priorities - like connectedness and enjoyment of the journey - at the forefront," said Ehrhardt. "I want our biggest goal to be simply doing our best, doing this together, and putting ourselves in the best position possible to be successful."
 
Congratulations Caroline!