Jason Talanian, Ph.D. joined Lesley University in October 2012 as the head coach of the Lynx Women’s Basketball Program.

Talanian was previously an assistant coach for the women’s basketball program at nearby Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, MA. He took part in all aspects of the program before leaving to pursue his career in teaching.

He is currently an assistant professor in exercise science at Fitchburg State University. His classes include the scientific principles of strength and conditioning, human motor development and other classes focusing on improving health, fitness and performance.

While completing his doctorate degree in Guelph, Ontario he coached boys and girls varsity basketball programs at the high school level.  On the girls side, Talanian won two regional championships as the head coach of Bishop Macdonnell and also claimed a silver and bronze medal at the Ontario Provincial Championships.

Prior to going to school in Canada, Jason coached for nine years in Sacramento, CA. There he gained experience in both boys and girls programs, collected three league championships and worked with a number of athletes that went on to successful collegiate careers.  In addition, he started the Capitol City Rebels AAU club, ran numerous summer camps and recreational basketball leagues.

Talanian’s experience in athletics and sports also includes time as a head varsity track and cross country coach, and he is also a certified personal trainer (ACSM). While completing his Ph.D. his research focused on training strategies to improve fitness and performance and has worked with elite and professional athletes to determine hydration levels before and after exercise. Jason also ran two years of collegiate cross country at Sacramento City College and was a competitive triathlete for a number of years.

Wechsler played for four years at Lesley University and graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education in 2011. She completed her master’s degree in Moderate Disabilities PK-8 at Lesley in 2012. Kaitlyn was part of two New England Collegiate Conference Championship teams in 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 and was voted First Team all NECC in 2010-2011. Kaitlyn graduated as Lesley University’s career leader in points, free throw percentage, and double-digit scoring games. Kaitlyn came to Lesley from Merrick, NY and played for Our Lady of Mercy Academy. She currently teaches middle school math full time in Lynn, MA at Breed Middle School.

Christine Tucker started her collegiate career at Solano Community College (SCC) in Fairfield, CA. She helped lead her team to two conference championships and was a two-year captain and All-conference selection. Following her stent at SCC, she was recruited to play at Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) for her final two years of college. In her junior season she led the conference in points, steals and assists and received an All-conference selection. Following graduation, Tucker started her coaching career as served as an assistant coach at ENC. She has extensive knowledge in guard play, leadership and defense.

Tory Sontag is a recent graduate of Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) where she was a two sport athlete playing both varsity basketball and varsity soccer. At ENC, she helped build a program through her leadership on and off the court. She was the second leading scorer and was second in rebounds during her freshman and sophomore year. Sontag began coaching while she was in high school and continued coaching in the summers throughout college. She was an AAU assistant coach and has worked at summer camps sharing her experience as both a wing and post player.