Beaira Thomas is the new Columbia HS girl track/cross-country head coach.
MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE — Beaira Thomas is excited to be the new Columbia High School girls cross-country/track and field head coach, recognizing the rich history of those programs.
Thomas is looking forward to guiding the girls cross-country team this fall.
“When I was offered the position of head coach for the girls cross-country and track and field teams, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy mixed with the weight of responsibility,” Thomas said in an email to the News-Record. “Columbia High School boasts a rich legacy in track and field, built by remarkable athletes and dedicated coaches who have come before me. The standard they set is high, and I am keenly aware of the significant role I now play in the lives of my student-athletes.
“My immediate thought was clear: I have to do good work!” she continued. “I have a duty to my athletes to coach them up and help them reach their full potential. I owe it to the coaches who laid the groundwork for this program to continue building on their incredible legacy. Most importantly, I owe it to myself to embrace this opportunity wholeheartedly and lead with purpose.
Every day, I have the privilege of doing what I love, and I recognize how blessed I am to be in this position. The outpouring of love and support I have received since accepting this role has truly humbled me. While self-belief is crucial, having the faith of others is a remarkable gift.
“In short, I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I am eager to demonstrate to the MAPSO community what we can achieve together.
Thomas said she is very impressed by her athletes’ dedication to be the best that they can be.
“My impression of the Columbia program and its athletes is clear: we are ready to win! From day one, the members of the cross-country team arrived at practice eager to put in the hard work necessary for success. The freshmen bring youthful enthusiasm, while the sophomores and juniors are committed to building a strong foundation that will sustain our team for years to come. Meanwhile, the seniors are focused on leaving a lasting legacy. Athletic Director (Sjocquelyn) Winstead made her vision clear during the interview process – she is determined to cultivate powerhouse teams and has entrusted her coaching staff with the responsibility to bring that vision to life. You can never count Columbia out and there’s this kinetic energy that’s building, you can feel it! We’re in motion and ready to leave our mark.”
Thomas wants to develop a strong athlete-coach relationship with her team.
“My No. 1 goal for this season is to get my athletes to trust me, to fully buy into this new program and believe that we have all the necessary tools to be successful, on and off the track,” Thomas said. “The athlete-coach relationship is sacred, and when there’s a shared level of trust and respect, the possibilities are endless. I need them to know that I take their goals and aspirations seriously too, and I will give them my very best. I just ask the same in return.
“My expectations for this year is that my athletes will end this season stronger and faster, both physically and mentally; that they have an unyielding belief in themselves and their abilities and that they are hungry for success. My goal is to keep my athletes healthy and build strong minds, becoming faster and more physically fit is simply a byproduct of that.
Looking forward, my aspirations for Columbia High School’s cross-country and track & field teams include being competitive both locally and nationally. I aim to build a winning program that produces state and national champions and helps my athletes secure college scholarships. I want the Maplewood–South Orange community to fully believe in our program and support our journey toward excellence.”
Thomas said she began my journey in track and field at the age of 7 and continued competing until she was 20. “Growing up, I was a proud member of the Jaguar Track Club, where I honed my skills. I later ran track at Science Park High School in Newark and went on to compete at the collegiate level for two years at Montclair State University, where I still hold the long jump school record.”
Thomas’ coaching career officially began in 2018 when she served as the assistant track and field coach at Mercy High School in Baltimore. Shen then spent a season coaching a recreational track and field team with the city of Orange athletic program. Throughout her collegiate years and into her young adulthood, she returned to volunteer with the Jaguar Track Club, ultimately coaching there for three years.
Thomas also is the co-founder of The Sister’s Run Club, a women-only adult running group based in Irvington, where she works with women ages 25 and older. Additionally, she haas spent the past five years as a speed and agility coach for Paramus United Soccer Club and has worked as a strength and conditioning coach at CourtSense in Tenafly, where she developed speed and agility programs for athletes. Most recently, she served as a mobility and recovery coach for the basketball teams at Irvington High School.
“Through these experiences, I have cultivated a deep passion for coaching and a commitment to helping athletes reach their full potential,” Thomas said.
Photo Courtesy of Beira Thomas
About the Author
