JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Track and Field coach Kieran Showler-Davis has announced that former C-N high jumper Sam Cleek is returning to Mossy Creek to become the program's jumps coach.
Cleek will work with Carson-Newman's high jumpers, pole vaulters, and multi-eventers.
Cleek jumped for the Eagles in 2021, placing top ten in every event he competed in during the outdoor season, highlighted by a 2.00-meter jump at the Montreat Classic on May 7. He also attempted pole vault at the SAC outdoor track and field championships placing fourth, clearing 4.30 meters.
"I'm really excited to have Sam Cleek back here at Carson-Newman" Showler-Davis said. "I'm excited about the knowledge and hunger he displays and I know the attributes he possesses as a coach will put our athletes in a great position to be successful."
His coaching experience comes from serving as the jumps coach at Hardin Valley Academy in Knoxville this spring. While serving as the jumps coach at C-N, Cleek will also serve in the same role at Knoxville Youth Academy where he plays a pivotal role in not only coaching young athletes but setting up and running large events such as the Tennessee Indoor State Championships and AAU Outdoor District and Regional meets.
Cleek has his roots based in Eastern Tennessee as an All-State track and field competitor at Dobyns-Bennett High School and won the Tennessee State Indoor Championship for high jump.
At the 2024 SAC Indoor Track and Field Championships, the Eagle jumpers saw success with two top ten finishers in the Men's High Jump and Women's Triple Jump, with Kadidja Sangara winning the women's long jump competition with a winning distance of 5.81m.
While at the 2024 SAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Sangare took home the conference title in women's long jump with a 5.93m jump. Verol Sam took home gold in the high jump with a winning height of 2.07m.
Carson-Newman's track and field season will begin around the beginning of December. Keep an eye on @CN_Eagles on X (Twitter) and Instagram to keep up to date with Carson-Newman Track and Field.
