McConeghey and Campbell joins Track and Field 2013 coaching staff
Carson-Newman track and field has added two new graduate assistants to its coaching staff for the 2013 season. Samantha McConeghey from Johnston, Iowa and Kristen Campbell from will be assisting head coach David Needs and coach Whitney Lee this spring semester.
McConeghey transferred from Northern Illinois to Carson-Newman in 2011 during her junior year. While competing for Carson-Newman, McConeghey ran the 5k and 10k. She, along with three other runners, set the school record in the distance medley relay.
After finishing her undergrad in 2012, McConeghey will be getting her masters in teaching and curriculum instruction for grades 7-12. McConeghey will coach distance and middle distance for the women and men's groups.
The daughter of a track coach, McConeghey is thrilled put into practice what she has learned from her father coaching.
"I am really excited to help out coach Needs and help out the men and women on the team," McConeghey said. "I believe it will be a great experience and we are going to have a great season."
Needs is looking forward to not only working with McConeghey, but also to see what she can pass on to the members of the team.
"Sammy brings a wealth of knowledge about distance running and training. Being a coach's kid she has been around the track for quite a while and brings honest conviction and a willingness to serve others in her approach to coaching," Needs said.
Along with McConeghey, Kristen Campbell will be joining the track and field coaching staff. Campbell ran track at Carson-Newman in 2011 after transferring from Southeastern Louisiana University where she participated as a heptathlon athlete, pole vaulter and hurdler.
Cambell is finishing up her last semester in the undergraduate program here at Carson-Newman as well as working on her student teaching.
Last semester, Campbell assisted with the women's and men's team's conditioning and began to work with a few of her athletes.
"Since I have worked some with the team last year, I have gotten a chance to get to know them more and begin to work with them some," Campbell said, "I am so excited to see what this season will hold and I am looking forward to working with the other coaches.
Campbell is another assistant that Needs is excited to have as a part of his staff.
"Kristen is a jack of all trades who is a former multi-event athlete who excels in teaching discipline and technique," Needs said, "She is a person of great integrity who has competed against some the best athletes in the world yet understands how to communicate effectively."
Coach Needs is very appreciative of the two coaches and feels blessed to have two athletes who both performed at the Division I and II levels. He believes they can pass that knowledge on to the current athletes on the Carson-Newman team.
The Eagles will participate in the Power Sox event on Saturday, March 2 in Hickory, N.C.
