Track and Field Joins FHU Spring Sports Slate

Courtesy of Seasons Magazine, Issue 45

HENDERSON, Tenn. - Freed-Hardeman University will add track and field to its intercollegiate offerings next spring, according to Mike McCutchen, athletic director. Derrick Spradlin, cross country coach, will also coach the track and field team.

Spradlin signed his first two athletes April 28. The first signee was Cameron Miller, a thrower from Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky. The second signee, on the same day, was Keelan Murphy, a sprinter from Mayfield, Kentucky.

In addition to the nine athletes Spradlin has signed thus far for track, the cross country team will compete in distance events. “Many distance runners expect to be in competition in both the fall and spring semesters,” Spradlin said. “In the past we’ve lost recruits to other schools because we could not offer track in addition to cross country.”

Also, he anticipates track will help the cross country runners because they will get more race experience and have additional opportunities to train in the spring.

Spradlin expects the team to participate in distance runs, sprints, jumps and throws next year. He hopes to add other events in the future. Both male and female track and field athletes are still being recruited. “I've been very encouraged so far by the number of inquiries from both interested potential students and current students,” Spradlin said. He may be contacted at dspradlin@fhu.edu.