Kepler Adds CharLee Linton to Coaching Staff

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah head cross country and track & field coach Kyle Kepler announced the addition of Charlee Linton to his staff on Wednesday, filling the vacancy left after the departure of Kelsey Quinn.
 
"Charlee really stood out in a variety of ways during the hiring process," said Kepler. "Her positive and professional demeanor combined with her experience in the Pac-12 as both a student-athlete and coach have allowed her to ascend quickly in her coaching career. Her passion and energy for the student-athletes she serves was very evident to everyone she met with. We all look forward to welcoming Charlee to the University of Utah."
 
Linton comes to Salt Lake City with familiarity having competed as part of the distance team at Washington State (2012-16). She remained in Pullman and served as a volunteer coach after graduation in 2016-17 before joining Wayne Phipps' staff full time in the summer of 2017.
 
Since joining the staff full time, WSU has had a pair of NCAA Cross Championship qualifiers – including an All-American in Vallery Korir (2017), who went on to hold the school's outdoor record in the 5000m and 10,000m. She was also instrumental in mentoring Erin Mullins, who qualified for the NCAA Cross Country Championships as an individual in 2020 that took place in Stillwater, Okla., during the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19. In addition, the Cougars also had five Cougars qualify for the NCAA West Regionals since Linton joined the staff.
 
The Shoreline, Wash., native walked onto the WSU cross country and track program her freshmen year before earning a scholarship her final two season on The Palouse. Linton went on to become a contributor on the cross country team, scoring for the Cougars three-straight years at the Pac-12 Championships and at the NCAA West Region races. She was also named the team's captain her junior year.
 
Out on the track, Linton broke the school record in the 10,000m (34:03.69) back in 2015 before she helped guide Korir break it in 2018. Linton's mark of 16:31.43 in the 5,000m and 9:35.49 mark in the 3,000m (indoor) both rank 10th at Washington State.
 
Linton graduated from Washington State in 2016 with a degree in psychology and minor in business administration.
 
For the latest news and information on the Utah cross country and track & field programs, fans can stay connected online at www.UtahUtes.com and on social media by following on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
 
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