VIDEO: Tyler Stepp Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn.—The Carson-Newman track and field team will kick off the new year with the East Tennessee State University Track & Field Classic this weekend for the squad's second indoor meet of the season.
The Eagles took part in the JDL Kickoff Classic in Winston Salem, N.C. on December 3, but have been off for the most part since due to Christmas break.
"We are all pretty excited to go out and compete this weekend," C-N assistant coach Tyler Stepp said. "The first meet back is always somewhat of a rust-buster to see where we are. This is really the start of the season for us and this is where we begin to make moves.
"A huge part of winter break that we as coaches try to get accomplished is to allow our athletes a chance to rest and recover. We don't push them too hard over break but we do stress to continue to do the things that will make them better."
Carson-Newman makes its first of two treks to Johnson City, Tenn. this season after competing at the facility for three meets a season ago. The returners on this year's squad know the running service and know what is to be expecting this go around.
The competition will also be fierce this weekend as the meet will welcome a number of schools from all across the NCAA landscape. In years past, major Division I programs have been present, as well as mid-majors and other schools from the conference.
"The competition at ETSU is always good and there will be a good mixture of teams present," Stepp said. "You kind of walk away having a good idea of how you compete against a number of people and not just one division. Our goal at Carson-Newman is to not just compete against Division II schools, but to compete against Division I and everyone else. That gives our kids an opportunity to see where they are with a chance to get better."
Not only are the current Eagle athletes familiar with ETSU and its track facilities, Stepp has first-hand knowledge of the school and program as the current C-N assistant was a two-time second-team All-American in the long jump as a Buccaneer while also wining three Atlantic Sun Conference Championships in the event as well.
"Going back to ETSU is always fun. The staff for the most part is still there," Stepp said. "It's good to go back and kind of have Homecoming with those folks and it's always good because I am so familiar with the surroundings. That enables me to give our kids that much more insight before they compete. ETSU was a good school for me, so this weekend will be a lot of fun."
Stepp also earned an Academic All-American honors as a junior and senior from the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association for his work in the classroom. Along with the honors, the former all-star was a three-time ASC All-Academic team selection.
Competition will begin Friday morning 11 a.m. and wrap up Saturday evening by 5 p.m. For continuous updates throughout the weekend, follow @CN-Track on Twitter and a full recap will be available on cneagles.com following Saturday's action.
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