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Anderson to lead Eagle cross country, track & field programs

Posted 7/29/20

The coronavirus pandemic has created a challenging offseason for cross country and track & field programs everywhere. At Central Methodist, first-time head coach Kenny Anderson will be leading …

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Anderson to lead Eagle cross country, track & field programs

Posted

The coronavirus pandemic has created a challenging offseason for cross country and track & field programs everywhere. At Central Methodist, first-time head coach Kenny Anderson will be leading the Eagle programs through this unique situation. CMU announced the hiring of Anderson on July 9. 

“We're very excited to have Coach Anderson at the helm of our cross country/track and field programs," said Central Methodist VP for Athletics and Student Life Natasha Wilson. “Coach Anderson will bring a wealth of knowledge to the program. His energy and enthusiasm for the sport are second to none and we're sure he'll continue to push our programs forward.”

Anderson has nearly a decade of coaching experience at the high school and collegiate level. Most recently, he was the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the track & field program at NCAA D-II Johnson C. Smith University.

 “It was the chance to be a head coach,” Anderson said about the opportunity. “A first-time head coach at the collegiate level. And that’s an opportunity that doesn’t come often, so I didn’t want to pass it up.”

Evaluating and recruiting athletes during the pandemic has presented some difficulties.

“I think the biggest challenge has been just not having a season last year,” Anderson explained. “Recruiting and just building a roster without being able to recruit and get kids’ times and see where they were previous.”

Anderson hasn’t been able to meet with any of the current athletes on his roster face-to-face.

“Everything has been over Zoom, or the telephone,” he said. “I’m really excited and anxious to get to meet them.”

Anderson officially took over as head cross country and track & field coach on July 16.

“So far the people have been great in Fayette,” Anderson said. “I think Central is a hidden gem as far as the school and the facilities.

“I look to bring a whole lot of excitement, some flair. We’ll try to get the community involved in what we do and hopefully put Central on the national stage.”

Anderson specializes in sprints and hurdles. In high school, Anderson was a finalist in the 300-meter hurdles in Florida’s 2A state championship meet. He graduated from Florida A&M in 2010 and had stints as a women’s basketball assistant coach for NCAA D-II Lynn University and D-I Stetson University before getting back into track & field.

“It's an honor and a privilege to be named the head coach of the track and field/cross country programs at Central Methodist,” Anderson said. “I just want to thank everyone that I have worked with and coached throughout the years. I'm grateful for the opportunities they have given me and the impact they have made.

“I also want to thank Ms. Natasha Wilson for her leadership and her trust in me to take on this role and I'm excited to see what the future holds. CMU is a thriving campus, both academically and athletically, and I look forward to leading a program into a new era of success and prosperity.”

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