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Brotherton inks with Charlotte track, cross country programs
Smoky Mountain senior Travis Brotherton is going to be a busy young man when he starts college in August at UNC-Charlotte.
The distance running standout has signed to compete in cross country as well as indoor and outdoor track for the 49ers.
Smoky Mountain’s Travis Brotherton has signed to run cross country along with indoor and outdoor track for UNC-Charlotte. Pictured are from left: (front) his parents, Dale and Debi Brotherton, and his girlfriend, Victoria Palmer; (back) Jamie Extine, SM track coach, and Mutt DeGraffenreid, athletic director. – Herald photo by Carey Phillips
“Their all-around program is really exciting,” Brotherton said. “This is the third strong recruiting class they’ve brought in. They’re sponsored by Nike and have a great set up.”
Other schools he considered included Appalachian State, East Carolina, N.C. State, Western Carolina, UNC-Greensboro, Lenoir-Rhyne and UNC-Wilmington.
“It will be tough,” Brotherton said of competing in three sports. “I will have a break of a week or two between each sport.”
He plans to run the 3,000, 5,000 and 10,000 meters in outdoor track as well as the 3,000 in indoor track. The 49ers won the Atlantic 10 Conference championship last year in indoor and outdoor track and placed third in cross country.
Academically, Brotherton tentatively plans to major in business administration.
“Cross country is definitely my favorite,” he said. “I like track, but running around in a circle isn’t the same as cross country. It’s kind of an addiction. I like the rush.”
Brotherton started competitive running at age 9 or 10. It was around the time of his sophomore year in high school when he began to think seriously about running in college.
“It’s awesome,” he said of the opportunity to run collegiately. “It’s pretty amazing that what I dreamed about is coming true. Now that I’ve gotten to this point, it’s kind of a relief. I’m excited about being a part of the team and getting to follow my dream.”
Brotherton finished second in the 3,200-meter run at Saturday’s State 2-A Meet in Greensboro. He won the regional title the past two seasons as well as the conference championship.
He placed fifth in last fall’s State 2-A Cross Country Meet while winning all-state, all-region and all-conference honors.
“This is a great opportunity for Travis,” said Jamie Extine, SM’s track coach. “There’s not many folks in high school who get a track scholarship. I’ve coached him three of the last four years, and he’s been exceptional. He’s represented Smoky Mountain High School well. He’s one of the most talented runners I’ve been around.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity and well-deserving,” said Lawson Hopper, SM’s cross country coach. “He’s worked really hard in his high school career. He did a great job evaluating the college programs looking at him, and I think Charlotte is a great fit. I think he’ll have a fine career for them.”
“Travis is going to be a great asset to our team,” said Brad Herbster, UNC-C’s head cross country coach and track coach for distance runners. “He is a very determined young man who has high goals and aspirations. Placing him in an environment with other good distance athletes and a great training group will really benefit him. I am thrilled to see what he can accomplish here at Charlotte.”
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