2022-23 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
- Caitlin Paulins won the conference championship in the pole vault at both the indoor and outdoor championships
- Paulins was also named USTFCCCA All-Region in both indoor and outdoor
- Morgan Whitley won the Conference Carolinas Indoor championship in the 5,000 meters
- Annah Blankenship earned the Conference Carolinas Women's Indoor Track and Field Elite 23 Award.
TOP RETURNERS
CAITLIN PAULINS
6-0 | So. | Pole Vault | Unicoi, Tenn.
Indoor Highlights
- USTFCCCA All-Region
- Conference Carolinas champion in the Pole Vault
- Part of the Distance Medley Relay team that set a school record at the conference championships, earning third team All-Conference honors
Outdoor Highlights
- USTFCCCA All-Region
- Conference Carolinas champion in the Pole Vault
- Holds the school record in the pole vault with a mark of 3.40 meters
RUTHIE FRIPP
5-7 | Jr. | Throws | Watertown, Tenn.
Academic All-Conference Carolinas
Indoor Highlights
- Shot put PR of 9.21 meters
- Weight throw PR of 13.32 meters
Outdoor Hightlights
- Third team All-Conference in the Discus throw (2021-22)
- Discus PR of 38.55 meters came at the 2021-22 Conference Carolinas Outdoor Championships
- Five top-10 finishes at the conference championships
ANNAH BLANKENSHIP
5-8 | Jr. | Throws | Abingdon, Va.
Indoor Highlights
- Conference Carolinas Elite 23 Award winner
- Set a weight throw personal record at the 2022-23 conference championships, marking 11.60 meters
Outdoor Highlights
- Five career top-10 finishes at the conference championships
- Set a personal record in the Hammer Throw at the conference championships with a mark of 27.82 meters
DESTINY HALLER
5-1 | Sr. | Distance | Johnson City, Tenn.
Indoor Highlights
- Mile PR of 5:55.10
- Two top-10 finishes at the Conference Carolinas Championships
Outdoor Highlights
- 400 meters personal record of 1:10.82 came at the 2023 Electric City Invitational
SAMANTHA JERRELL
5-2 | Sr. | Sprints/Jumps | Gate City, Va.
Academic All-Conference Carolinas
Indoor Highlights
- 60 meter PR of 8.65 seconds
- 200 meter PR of 28.61 seconds
- Triple Jump PR of 10.19 meters
Outdoor Highlights
- Long Jump PR of 5.20 meters
MORGAN WHITLEY
5-4 | Distance | Danville, Va.
Indoor Highlights
- 2023 Conference Carolinas champion in the 5,000 meters
- Third Team All-Conference Carolinas in the 3,000 meters
- Was part of the Distance Medley Relay team that set a school record at the conference indoor championships
Outdoor Highlights
- Second Team All-Conference Carolinas in the Steeplechase
- 1500 meters personal record time of 5:08.69
NEW FACES
HEAD COACH
Jack Brunecz was named the head coach of Cross Country and Track and Field in July 2023 after a stint in the same position at Methodist University, where he guided the Monarchs to 117 all-conference honorees, including 46 first team honorees. He owns USATF Coaching Education Level 1 and 2 certifications with a distance events focus.
2023-24 Schedule Highlights
Indoor Season Opener | Dec. 8-9 at 7th Annual Bast-Cregger Invitational; Salem, Va.
Conference Carolinas Indoor Track & Field Championships | February 18-19; JDL FastTrack; Winston-Salem, N.C.
Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track & Field Championships | April 26-27; Doug Shaw Stadium; Myrtle Beach, S.C.