Borden tabbed as head cross country coach

Posted: Aug 14, 2024

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman Director of Track & Field Kieran Showler-Davis has tabbed former C-N distance runner Brent Borden to lead the Carson-Newman Cross Country program and assist with the track & field program's distance runners.

Borden takes over for Whit Lee, who served in an interim capacity last season.

"Throughout my time running here it felt like home," Borden said. "I'm so thankful that this position opened up over the summer and I get to come back after a short time away. I'd like to thank David Needs, Kieran Showler-Davis and Whit Lee for mentorship, but also in how they had led here over the year. I'm especially grateful for Whit as he will stay involved as I step into this new role this fall. I'm excited for this chapter in my life and for this next chapter for Carson-Newman Cross Country."

A 2024 C-N graduate and decorated academician, Borden earned CSC Academic All-District honors, the D2ADA Academic Achievement Award and spots on the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll and Eagle Scholars listing.

"I'm very excited for Brett to join the staff," Showler-Davis said. "We've had a great track record with hiring former C-N athletes as coaches and I don't see this changing with Brett. From talking to him throughout the hiring process he's extremely knowledgeable and hungry, so I'm excited to see the great things he does with the cross country team and distance squad."

Borden transferred to Carson-Newman from UT Martin and made an impact in 2022. He helped Carson-Newman to its highest finish at the Southeast Regional Championship Meet in a decade. In that season, he was Carson-Newman's top finisher at the SAC Championship Meet.

Borden topped out at the tail end of his career, registering career bests in his final SAC Championship Meet and Southeast Regional with an 8K time of 25:04.7 and a 10K time of 33:03.2 in the respective two events. He had three lifetime top 10 finishes in races.

In distance races in track & field, Borden collected four podiums in his senior season between indoor and outdoor season.