CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga cross country and track team looks to continue its tradition of excellence with the addition of 13 talented newcomers this fall. Head Coach Bill Gautier added seven runners to the men's squad while the Lady Mocs welcome six.
With three consecutive Southern Conference titles under their belt, the Lady Mocs will look to build upon their reputation as one of the top programs in the Southeast. Gautier is adding freshmen Heather Stuive, Amanda Sumner, Kathryn Stuart, Mary Cumbee, Morgan Buchanan and Haley Horsch to an already stalwart core.
Stuive, a Beamsville Ontario Canada native, will be a strong asset to the team coming off a recent third place finish at OFSAA Provincial Cross Country Championships as well as competing in National Level Completion in track. Sumner, from Bristol, Conn., is a two time state champ in both the 1000 meters and 1600 meters. Her championship experience will be a benefit to the squad.
Stuart and Cumbee, a dynamic duo from Brentwood, Tenn., teammates post impressive results including second and third place finishes, respectively, in the regional cross country championships. Buchanan, from Johnson City, Tenn., has been on the winning scene with her team who won the 2008 Cross Country State title.
Rounding out the ladies team is local talent Horsch from Ooltewah who post an impressive 57.1 seconds in the 400 meters and was second in the state championships in the event.
On the men's side, runners include Kyle McLarty, Lucas Cotter, Mark Cole, Matthew Kenwright, Ryan Tudor, T.J. Whitaker, and Blake Olson.
McLarty, from Collierville, Tenn., is expected bring great depth to the team. He has a personal best time of 15:48.54 in the 5000 meters and won the Jesse Owens Classic in the event his senior year. In 2007, McLarty won the region cross country title. He has strong performances from the 800 meters all the way up to the 5000m and is a very versatile runner.
Cotter, also from Collierville, Tenn., has had some strong performances including a third place finish in region cross country meet as well as a personal best time of 15:55.50 in the 5000 meters. Cole also brings championship experience. The McKenzie, Tenn., native, claimed two cross country district titles in 2006 and 2007 and was the runner up in the 2007 state cross country meet.
Kenwright, from Cordova, Tenn., will contribute to the squad coming off a solid high school career nabbing a pair of third place finishes in the 1600 meters and 3000 meters at the TSSAA D-II West Sectional. Another Collierville, Tenn., runner, Tutor, placed sixth in the 800meters at the state meet last year and has a personal record in this event of 1:56.47.
Ooltewah, Tenn., native, Whitaker is the reigning state champion in the 800 meter run with a time of 1.57.85 and is expected be a strong track performer for the Mocs.
Finally Blake Olson of Pleasant View, Tenn., will be a strong contributor to the track squad with personal bests in the 300 meter hurdles of 41.65, a 110 meter hurdles times of 15.81 and a time of 1:01.59 in the 400 Meter Hurdles.
This group of talented and strong performers will be vital to the success of the UTC cross country and track and field teams in the upcoming year.