Aycock's Courtney Warner signs NLI to run track at East Carolina

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 18, 2015 11:06 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- A competitive athlete with untapped potential, Courtney Warner didn't think about running track until her sophomore season.

But the Charles B. Aycock senior felt she needed to keep in shape.

"I just decided to try it," she said.

Two years later, Warner has emerged into one of North Carolina's elite performers. She's claimed three N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A state track titles -- two in outdoor and one in indoor -- and virtually re-written nearly every Golden Falcon record.

Warner took her career one step further Friday. The former Japan and New Mexico resident signed a national letter-of-intent to run track at East Carolina University next season.

"I'll admit I had mixed emotions about East Carolina, but after what I have discussed with some people, she is going to fit in well," CBA head coach Roger Rhodes said. "ECU is in a fantastic conference right now. I'm thinking she'll do very well there. It's a God-given talent that she's got and you can't coach that, but you can coach attitude and the mental aspect.

"She's got to work hard to get where she needs to be. She's one of the best in the state."

Warner had her doubts.

A pair of top-7 finishes in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in the state meet during her sophomore provided some motivation. The disappointment compelled her to take track more seriously and see how far she can go with it.

The new outlook paid off.

Warner won the 100- and 200-meter state 3-A championships last May in Greensboro. She followed that up with the 300-meter indoor title this past winter, setting a new state record of 40.67 seconds.

"Ninety percent of it is in my mind, 10 percent of it is physical," said Warner, who is a six-time Wayne County track and field title-holder with three wins each in the 100 and 200 dashes.

"The race is only 10 to 12 seconds long. It's really about me focusing on what I have to do. I have to kind of get into a zone, push off hard (at the start) and run. When I'm focused, I know what I have to do and I can get it done."

East Carolina won the Conference USA championship in 2014. The program is directed by head coach Curt Kraft, who has coached 14 All-Americans, 61 NCAA qualifiers and 346 all-conference selections -- just to recognize a few accolades.

Discussions between Warner and Kraft have centered on the importance of being a student first, and an athlete second. Warner doesn't expect to step onto the track too much during her freshman season as she acclimates herself to a different -- and demanding -- regimen.

She understands the necessary dedication to succeed thanks to her elite travel team coach, Dave Simmons. The two have developed a bond which has helped Warner break through her shell and realize her true talent.

"We've talked about in the future (about) me working hard would give me benefits in the long run," said Warner, who plans to major in nursing, but has aspirations of making the 2020 Olympic track and field team.

"I probably won't make a huge impact until the proper training. I want to make it as far possible."