Former Gardner-Webb standout Carson Sears is entering his fifth season as the assistant coach for throws for the Runnin’ Bulldogs.
Since returning as an assistant coach in 2017, GWU throwers have earned ten All-Conference results, including five conference titles, and have set numerous PRs and school records.
This past season, Natasha Akbarizadeh claimed the women’s hammer throw title at the Big South Conference Outdoor Championships with a school-record mark of 63.92 meters. That mark qualified her for the NCAA Regionals and also helped her earn the 2019 Big South Women’s Field Athlete of the Year award.
Petra Jakeljic also turned in an All-Conference performance in the women’s hammer throw at the Big South Outdoor Championships, placing second with a distance of 56.58 meters.
In his first year of guidance, the Runnin’ Bulldogs posted several top results, including eight All-Conference performances, four Big South championships, four school records set, and one NCAA Regional qualifier.
Jordan Smith took home the both the men’s weight throw and shot put titles at the Big South Conference Indoor Championships, earning Outstanding Field Performer honors. He set the school record in the indoor shot put at 17.71 meters at the VMI Winter Relays.
Sarah Mitchell also earned All-Conference accolades on the indoor side in the women’s shot put. Earlier in the season, she set the school record with a mark of 14.82 meters at the Appalachian Open.
At the Big South Conference Outdoor Championships, the GWU throwers had five All-Conference marks, including two individual titles. Jordan Smith placed first overall in both the men’s discus and hammer throw and was second in the men’s shot put, while Petra Jakeljic finished second overall in the women’s hammer throw and Sarah Mitchell finished third in the women’s shot put.
Smith earned Outstanding Field Performer honors and qualified for the NCAA Regionals after setting the GWU record in the shot put with a distance of 17.23 meters at the Mount Olive Final Qualifier.
Sears was a standout performer for Gardner-Webb during his time as a member of the track and field squad, earning All-Conference honors in the hammer throw, weight throw, shot put, and discus. The 2012 Big South men’s hammer throw champion, Sears holds the program’s all-time mark of 64.48 meters set that year at the Weems Baskin Relays. Sears also placed fifth at the USA Track & Field Junior Nationals in 2011, earning junior All-American honors.
Sears graduated from Gardner-Webb University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, as well as a Master of Business Administration degree.
