Coaching Staff

Nici Rhodes, PT, DPT, GCS
Head Cross Country Coach
e: nicithomas@gmail.com

I fell into coaching somewhat accidentally, but wouldn't change it for the world. My first introduction to the sport was back in 7th grade when I got cut from the middle school track team. I asked my dad to train me, and our first run together was 10 minutes. My chest hurt so bad during that run that I told my dad I was going to die and it was going to be all his fault (standard pre-teen answer: blame it on a parent). I did make the track team in 8th grade, and after many miles discovered I was pretty good at the sport. I ran for Atlee High School and then Rhodes College out in Memphis, TN. This background definitely helps me as a coach, because I can relate to pretty much everyone on the team. I have been a successful runner, but I also remember what it is like starting from zero.

I began coaching after college, and have now been at it for 17 years. During that time, I have coached at five different schools in the area, and been a part of nine state championship teams (3 cross country, 3 indoor track, 3 outdoor track, but across four different schools). I have been at Tucker since 2024  and have been head coach of cross country/distance since 2025. I love the coaches and student-athletes at Tucker, and look forward to many more years here!

In my free time, I still enjoy running and racing competitively for the PR Run & Walk racing team (road races), and the Pony Express Track Club (track races). I love books and movies, and hanging out with my husband and daughter and our two dogs.

Jay Wyss, MPA
Head Track & Field Coach
e: wyssjf@gmail.com

I've been Tucker's Head Track & Field Coach since 2025, after returning to the program in 2023. (Fun Fact: Coach Sirica was my high school coach, and I was one of her first high school athletes!)

How did I get my start? I was in an 8th-grade gym class, stuck in a track & field unit I hadn't asked for, when my teacher pulled me aside and said I should come out for the team that spring. I had no idea he was a former collegiate athlete (or a Tucker Tiger). I just knew that he thought I might be good at something. He wasn't wrong!

Thankfully, my middle school team didn't have cuts, as I couldn't even run a mile at the start of the season. By the end of the year, I was running under 6 minutes and figured out that I actually liked the sport—especially the sense of confidence and accomplishment it gave me. Despite that, my older brothers still had to cajole me into going out for cross country in 9th grade.

It worked out pretty well! I ran for Tucker (where I still hold a school record—let's fix that, guys) and went on to set several records at VCU (3,000m, 10,000m, and 4xMile). I had opportunities to mix it up with All-Americans and professional athletes, and I'm lucky enough to call some Olympians friends.

None of that was on my mind in that 8th-grade gym class—it's been one heck of a ride!!

Away from the track, I run technology and operations for my family's insurance agency, Affinity Group Underwriters, right here in Henrico. I live in the county with my German Shepherd, Bella. I still love to compete, and I especially enjoy making the high schoolers work to beat me.

Annette Sirica, MA, MS
Coach Emeritus
e: amsirica45@gmail.com

I came to Tucker in 2001, when my daughter Gabby was running here and the program had one coach. I've been with the program for twenty-three years.

Before moving to Richmond I ran at Central Michigan and stayed for a master's in exercise physiology and a graduate assistantship coaching the women's teams. I coached at Kalamazoo College, then Western Michigan, where I started the women's cross country program and coached the women's track team to a Mid-American Conference indoor title. I went to Wisconsin for a PhD in exercise science, then met Al and moved south. I taught PE at Our Lady of Lourdes for twenty years and started their cross country team, track team, and running club — all still running today.

At Tucker, the early 2000s gave me a distance group I'll never stop talking about: state champions, a national relay title, All-Americans. In 2022 our girls made the 5A State Championships, the first Tucker girls team ever to get there, and the boys followed the next year. I've had chances to coach elsewhere, but always kept choosing Tucker. In 2018, I took over the girls program and they advanced to the state cross country championships for the first time in school history in 2024.

I've been Secretary of USATF Virginia since 2012, and in 2024 received the Virginia Track Coaches Association's Daniel Ward Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Al and I have been married 42 years. We have two kids and two grandchildren now, and - fun fact - I have a German Shepherd named Bella. Coincidentally, so does Coach Jay. This was not planned!

Greg Ford
Sprints
e: fordbsu@yahoo.com 

I was inspired to return to coaching by my daughter running XC and Track at Tucker. 

I had previously coached high school and junior college track. I was a four year D2 xc / track athlete. Current member of the Pony Express master’s track team. I employ a hands on approach with a focus on teaching the track events. It is my belief that educated student-athletes are highly motivated, disciplined and willing to accept change. This is why I teach the events. 

16 years experience of transforming lives in the affordable housing industry. Born and raised in Washington, DC! 

Ron Catron
Throws
e: ronaldcatron@gmail.com

I’m a proud Class of '84 Tucker grad where I ran Track & XC for 4 years.  I got into power lifting in my late 20’s and not long after that I was recruited to coach the throwers on the team.  Over the last 20 years I’ve been blessed to coach 8 Regional Champions, 6 State Champions, and advanced athletes to the State Meet over 60 times.

If you want to learn more about our program, please don't hesitate to contact us!