Nelson Desilvestre has been the head track and field coach at Northern Essex since 2017 resurrecting a program that was dormant for three years. Since his arrival the program has made strides. The women have shown success as they finished 23^rd in 2018 and 17^th in the 2019 NJCAA Division III National Championships as well as establishing five school records.  The 1500meter mark was broken in 2018 and then improved upon in 2019. The 3000meter mark also fell in 2019. The high jump record was established in 2018 as was the 3000meter steeplechase in 2019. The Knights also produced 2 USTFCCA All-Americans in 4 events.

On the men’s side, the team has ranked among the top 25 nationally in each under Desilvestre. The high jump record was improved upon in 2017 as was the 3000meter mark. In 2019 the 800meter record fell. The Knights had athletes qualify for the National Championships in 2017 and 2019.

Desilvestre has spent the last seven seasons as the Co-head coach of indoor track team at Manchester-Essex Regional High School. There, he won the only conference title in school history and was voted coach of the year. During his tenure 24 school, 32 class and 18 relay records have improved.

Prior to Manchester-Essex, he was the Head Boys Coach at Beverly High School for 18 winter and 17 spring seasons. In those 35 seasons he accumulated 214 wins and was voted coach of the year on two occasions. His athletes broke 19 school, 44 class and 6 relay records. He also coached 5 conference MVPs during that timeframe.

Overall, Nelson has coached 34 High School Conference Champions and had 30 athletes qualify for the State Championships. Six of those individuals qualified for the New England Championships and 3 of them qualified for the National Championships.

Coach Desilvestre graduated from The University of Maine-Orono as an eight-time letter winner. He concentrated on the triple jump and also participated in the long jump as well as running in the 200 and 4 x 400 relays. He was a three time All New England performer in the Triple Jump. He ran at Beverly High School and is the holder of one school, and three relay records. In 2011, he was elected in to the Beverly High School Hall of Fame. He has a level 200 certification from USTFCCCA as well as MIAA and NFHS certifications.