Noden Returns to PDS After 30 Years

After years of participating in races around the world, Merrell Noden ran into an old friend in Princeton, his hometown.

Eamon Downey told Noden he was retiring as coach of the cross country team at Princeton Day School and wondered if Noden wanted the job.

"We are old racing pals and I was an assistant coach (under Downey) at the school about 30 years," Noden said. "Both my kids go to the school. It seemed like coaching would be fun. I had to do it. Why not?"

Noden loves running. He loves sharing that joy with other runners. And being a former writer for Sports Illustrated and still working for other publications, his return to coaching might even make a good story someday.

If there was one thing Noden would like to change in his early draft of the season, however, it'd probably be the number of runners out for the team. The Princeton Day School boys cross country team won the Prep B state title last year, mainly thanks to the efforts of 12 seniors. That was the majority of the roster.

"I was surprised to hear there were twelve seniors on the team last year," Noden said. "That's a big group for such a small school. This year, there are currently seven boys on the team. I would love to have at least ten boys."

Paul Quigley, the captain, is the lone senior on the team. David Caliguire and Jonas Kaufman are the juniors.

Zach Woogen is just a freshman, but he gained a lot of experience by running for Princeton Day's middle school team last year.

James Ge is a freshman who has never run before. Sophomore Nyle Nuemann and Tyler Olsson are the other runners on the team.

"Tyler is a big strong kid that looks like he's built for hockey and lacrosse," Noden said. "He intrigues me. He may surprise us. "We're still getting kids coming out, but that's the lineup at the moment."

Princeton Day will open the season against the Lewis School and the George School on Tuesday, Sept. 13. This is the only scheduled home meet of the season.

Noden's goals are modest. He wants his runners to enjoy the sport and allow that joy to help make them better every step of the way.

"I have loved running culture and being around runners my whole life," said Noden, a former indoor state record holder in the 880.

"I have met a lot of friends because of the sport. It may sound corny, but I want them (the members of Princeton Day School's team) to enjoy running. I have been around running my whole life and I have loved it. I want the kids to feel the same."