JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Track and Field program heads to Boone, N.C. Saturday to compete in its second indoor meet of the season, the Appalachian State Indoor Invitational.
Last year, the Eagles took third-place overall at Appalachian State with several athletes placing first in both sprinting and field events amongst numerous Division I competitors.
"Our goal was to better as a program and look at ourselves beyond just a being a team," said track and field coach David Needs.
Freshman Tanner Stepp (Jefferson City, Tenn.) and sophomore Kristin Chapman have already provisionally qualified for the NCAA Championships in May and by doing so, they have set the standards high for themselves as well as the rest of the program.
"We wanted to have athletes that competed regardless of division, regardless of level, that could compete on a national scale. I think we're making strides in both areas," Needs said.
Although only a freshman, Stepp does not concentrate his other competitors, only himself during a meet.
"I go in and do my best, and I don't worry about what everyone else is doing. I know if I do what I need to do I will be pleased, regardless of what place I finish," Stepp said.
The Eagles compete in the Appalachian State Indoor Invitational in Boone, N.C. Saturday. Full results and a recap of the day's events will be available on cneagles.com and on our Twitter account, @cnathletics.
-CN-