Reinhardt Adds Men's and Women's Track & Field

WALESKA, Ga. - Reinhardt University is adding two new teams to the athletic mix, as men's and women's track & field will begin its first official season of competition in the spring of 2015.

Under the direction of RU alumnus and head cross country coach Jordan Turner, RU had a test season in 2014 to determine if there was interest and support to sponsor the two sports in full NAIA competition in 2015. The trial season culminated at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships, where several RU student-athletes either won or finished in the top three in select events.

"We have many student-athletes on campus that have a superb record of success at the high school level that will hopefully translate well to the collegiate ranks and the AAC," coach Turner said. "I have every reason to believe we have some athletes capable of achieving NAIA National Championship qualifying times and marks already on campus or committed to come this fall."

The addition of men's and women's track & field allows for student-athletes to stay active even when their primary sport is not in season. While many cross country runners ran in distance events last season, several football players were involved in track events like sprints and relays, in addition to other field disciplines like the high jump, javelin, and discus.

There is no set number of athletes needed to comprise a track & field team. With no track facility currently on campus, coach Turner and RU Director of Athletics Bill Popp are working to secure practice times at a nearby high school or other facility. The two squads will compete at events sanctioned by both NAIA and NCAA schools. In addition to the AAC Championship meet, the NAIA creates and posts a list of qualifying times and marks that if a student-athlete were to reach during a meet, he or she would earn an invitation to the NAIA National Championship.

Coach Turner is very much looking forward to the first official season of track & field. "We have many outstanding athletes that will contribute to the success of the program and it's exciting for them to have the opportunity to compete with Reinhardt on the front of their jersey," he said.  "I look forward to them showcasing their talents on the conference and national level."

The addition of the the two sports will bring the total number of varsity sports sponsored by Reinhardt to 19, with 16 sanctioned by the NAIA. Cheerleading is considered an emerging sport by the NAIA, while men's and women's lacrosse play under the banners of the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association and the National Women's Lacrosse League.