Joe Snyder – Director/Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach, Mississippi College
Coaching Mission:
First and foremost, Coach Joe Snyder's objective is to develop athletes who compete in a way that honors God. Each member of the team has been given unique gifts to run, jump, and throw, and his hope is that the athletes do their best to steward those gifts well and give them back to God. As Christians, they compete with unmatched confidence and fearlessness, placing their hope and trust in Christ.
Coaching Experience:
Coach Joe Snyders began his coaching career at Mississippi College in 2021 as an assistant coach specializing in throws. His expertise quickly elevated the program, producing multiple school records and leading athletes to conference and regional honors. In May 2024, Coach Snyders transitioned into the role of Director/Head Coach for Track and Field and Cross Country, where he continues to build on the program’s success.
School Records:
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2021-22 Season: 7 School Records
- Indoor (3):
- Women’s Weight – Kiara Vance (15.21m)
- Women’s Shot – Kiara Vance (11.60m)
- Men’s Shot – Al Ferrill (16.06m)
- Outdoor (4):
- Men’s Shot – Al Ferrill (16.16m)
- Women’s Hammer – Victoria Myles (41.78m)
- Women’s Discus – Kiara Vance (40.05m)
- Women’s Shot Put – Sakari Faulkner (12.20m)
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2022-23 Season: 9 School Records
- Indoor (4):
- Women’s Weight – Essence Tornabene (17.84m)
- Women’s Shot – Essence Tornabene (12.13m)
- Men’s Weight – Al Ferrill (18.24m)
- Men’s Shot – Al Ferrill (16.47m)
- Outdoor (5):
- Women’s Shot Put – Essence Tornabene (12.72m)
- Women’s Discus – Nicole Morris (40.17m)
- Women’s Hammer – Essence Tornabene (53.18m)
- Men’s Shot Put – Al Ferrill (16.63m)
- Men’s Hammer – Al Ferrill (53.25m)
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2023-24 Season: 2 School Records
- Outdoor (2):
- Women’s Shot Put – Rashanna Thorne (12.96m)
- Women’s Discus – Kennedy Thompson (41.14m)
All-GSC Honors:
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2021-22 Season: 5 All-GSC honors, with 54 points scored at the GSC Championships
- Indoor (2):
- Al Ferrill – Men’s Shot
- Al Ferrill – Men’s Weight (17 Team points)
- Outdoor (3):
- Kiara Vance – Women’s Discus
- Al Ferrill – Men’s Shot Put and Men’s Discus (37 Team points)
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2022-23 Season: 9 All-GSC honors, 4 GSC Champions, with 109 points scored
- Indoor (3):
- Al Ferrill – Men’s Shot Champion, Men’s Weight Champion
- Essence Tornabene – Women’s Weight, 3rd place (37 Team points, Men’s TEAM CHAMPIONS)
- Outdoor (6):
- Al Ferrill – Men’s Shot Champion, Men’s Hammer Champion, Men’s Discus Runner-up
- Jake Keesee – Men’s Discus 3rd Place
- Essence Tornabene – Women’s Shot Put, 3rd Place; Hammer Runner-up (72 Team points)
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2023-24 Season: 10 All-GSC honors, 3 GSC Champions, with 112 points scored
- Indoor (2):
- Bryan Puckett (Fr.) – Men’s Shot, 3rd Place
- Jake Keesee – Men’s Weight, 3rd Place (25 Team points)
- Outdoor (8):
- Bryan Puckett (Fr.) – Men’s Shot Runner-up
- Brodie Ezell (Fr.) – Men’s Discus Runner-up
- Jake Keesee – Men’s Discus 3rd Place, Men’s Hammer Runner-up
- James David Miller – Men’s Hammer Champion
- Matthew Coleman (Fr.) – Men’s Javelin Champion
- Nicole Morris – Women’s Shot Put Champion
- Rashanna Thorne – Women’s Shot Put, 3rd Place (87 Team points)
All-Region Honors:
- 2021-22: 5 All-Region honors, with Al Ferrill being named Men’s Indoor South Region Field Athlete of the Year
- 2022-23: 11 All-Region honors, including Al Ferrill, Essence Tornabene, and Jake Keesee
- 2023-24: 12 All-Region honors, featuring James David Miller, Bryan Puckett, and Matthew Coleman
NCAA DII PROVO Qualifiers:
- 2023: Al Ferrill and Essence Tornabene in Weight Throw and Shot Put
- 2024: Matthew Coleman in Javelin, Rashanna Thorne in Shot Put
NCAA DII National Qualifiers:
Personal and Coaching Philosophy:
Coach Snyders remains dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of his athletes—both on and off the field. His coaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that athletes perform at their best when they compete for a higher purpose. By guiding his team to steward their God-given talents well, Coach Snyders fosters a competitive environment that is built on confidence, trust, and fearless performance.
