Tornifolio, Bailey Named to Lead Track and Field and Cross Country Programs
5/16/2024 12:26:00 AM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track & Field
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Michael Tornifolio and Chris Bailey have officially been named the head coaches of the College of Charleston track and field and cross country teams, respectively, after serving in an interim capacity during the 2023-24 season, Director of Athletics Matt Roberts announced Thursday.
"We are excited to lift the interim titles and name Mike Tornifolio and Chris Bailey as head track and field and cross country coaches," said Roberts. "Neither missed a beat in this transitional year, continuing to grow the foundation built by Amy Seago. We are confident in their leadership for these programs and look forward to seeing their positive impact on our student-athletes."
Tornifolio has been a part of the Cougar program since January 2015 and was promoted to associate head coach in May 2019. Bailey, a former standout runner at The College, returned to his alma mater as an assistant cross country coach in January 2021.
The duo was named interim head coaches last September when Seago stepped down after 20 years leading both programs.
"I am super excited for Mike and Chris. I have no doubt they are the right people to lead the program into the future," said Seago. The track and field and cross country team hold a special place in my heart and so will these two and their capable staff. I'm proud of their hard work and dedication. To see them become the guardians of the program is beyond satisfying."
Tornifolio has worked with several of the top jumpers and sprinters in school history over the past decade including four-time CAA pole vault champion and conference indoor record holder Luzy Lieger and two-time high jump titlist Julisa Tindall.
Lieger has reached the podium at the past six conference championships and qualified for the NCAA East Region Meet in 2022 and 2023 while Tindall earned a spot in the NCAA Regionals each season from 2015-17. Both athletes were also members of the USTFCCCA Academic All-America Team.
"Charleston is such a special place, and I am honored to lead the track and field program," said Tornifolio. "As we move forward, I am excited to work towards elevating our goals of providing a top-notch student-athlete experience and bringing home conference champions."
Tornifolio has coached 59 athletes who have cracked the top 10 in the Cougar indoor record book and 54 who have rewritten the outdoor records. Under his mentorship, 2024 senior Kaitlynn Bailey set four school records to lead a list of 14 first-place marks achieved by his athletes.
"I want to thank Matt Roberts, Kate Tiller and Chris Horschel for giving Chris and me this amazing opportunity," continued Tornifolio. "I also want to thank Amy Seago for bringing me to Charleston and work under her tutelage. I especially want to thank my wife (Diane) and daughter (Stella) for their continued support."
"Mike is a phenomenal technical coach, a creative problem solver and an inspiring motivator in the thick of battle," said Seago. "His optimism will be a steady force going forward."
Bailey, who previously served as an assistant cross country coach at The College in 2016-17, has overseen the development of several outstanding distance runners during the past season as interim head coach.
During the 2023-24 season, graduate student Rhian Purves capped her stellar career by setting school records in the indoor 800 and outdoor 1500. She finished her career ranked in the top 10 in nine events covering cross country and indoor and outdoor track and scored at the CAA Championships four times.
Savannah Stoutt, a freshman this past season, and Cayden Crismon, a sophomore, provided another success story for the Charleston program. Stoutt moved into the top 10 in the 6k during the fall and made the list in the indoor 800 and mile and outdoor 800, 1500 and 3000 steeplechase, taking sixth place at the CAA Championships in the latter event.
Crismon set the school record in the 10,000, one of five events in which she made the top 10. On the men's side, freshman Mitchel Drees earned a spot in the record book at both the 8k and 10k distances while establishing a new mark for first-year runners.
"Chris is a tireless worker and a student of the sport. He is a thorough and organized leader," said Seago. "He relates well to the athletes and has been in their shoes. His standard of excellence will drive the Cougars in unprecedented ways."
"I am honored to give back to my alma mater and shape the future of our cross country and track and field programs," said Bailey. "I want to thank Matt Roberts and the administration for putting their trust in Mike and me to lead the program. I look forward to making student-athlete success, both on and off the track and cross country course, my number one priority."
"We are excited to lift the interim titles and name Mike Tornifolio and Chris Bailey as head track and field and cross country coaches," said Roberts. "Neither missed a beat in this transitional year, continuing to grow the foundation built by Amy Seago. We are confident in their leadership for these programs and look forward to seeing their positive impact on our student-athletes."
Tornifolio has been a part of the Cougar program since January 2015 and was promoted to associate head coach in May 2019. Bailey, a former standout runner at The College, returned to his alma mater as an assistant cross country coach in January 2021.
The duo was named interim head coaches last September when Seago stepped down after 20 years leading both programs.
"I am super excited for Mike and Chris. I have no doubt they are the right people to lead the program into the future," said Seago. The track and field and cross country team hold a special place in my heart and so will these two and their capable staff. I'm proud of their hard work and dedication. To see them become the guardians of the program is beyond satisfying."
Tornifolio has worked with several of the top jumpers and sprinters in school history over the past decade including four-time CAA pole vault champion and conference indoor record holder Luzy Lieger and two-time high jump titlist Julisa Tindall.
Lieger has reached the podium at the past six conference championships and qualified for the NCAA East Region Meet in 2022 and 2023 while Tindall earned a spot in the NCAA Regionals each season from 2015-17. Both athletes were also members of the USTFCCCA Academic All-America Team.
"Charleston is such a special place, and I am honored to lead the track and field program," said Tornifolio. "As we move forward, I am excited to work towards elevating our goals of providing a top-notch student-athlete experience and bringing home conference champions."
Tornifolio has coached 59 athletes who have cracked the top 10 in the Cougar indoor record book and 54 who have rewritten the outdoor records. Under his mentorship, 2024 senior Kaitlynn Bailey set four school records to lead a list of 14 first-place marks achieved by his athletes.
"I want to thank Matt Roberts, Kate Tiller and Chris Horschel for giving Chris and me this amazing opportunity," continued Tornifolio. "I also want to thank Amy Seago for bringing me to Charleston and work under her tutelage. I especially want to thank my wife (Diane) and daughter (Stella) for their continued support."
"Mike is a phenomenal technical coach, a creative problem solver and an inspiring motivator in the thick of battle," said Seago. "His optimism will be a steady force going forward."
Bailey, who previously served as an assistant cross country coach at The College in 2016-17, has overseen the development of several outstanding distance runners during the past season as interim head coach.
During the 2023-24 season, graduate student Rhian Purves capped her stellar career by setting school records in the indoor 800 and outdoor 1500. She finished her career ranked in the top 10 in nine events covering cross country and indoor and outdoor track and scored at the CAA Championships four times.
Savannah Stoutt, a freshman this past season, and Cayden Crismon, a sophomore, provided another success story for the Charleston program. Stoutt moved into the top 10 in the 6k during the fall and made the list in the indoor 800 and mile and outdoor 800, 1500 and 3000 steeplechase, taking sixth place at the CAA Championships in the latter event.
Crismon set the school record in the 10,000, one of five events in which she made the top 10. On the men's side, freshman Mitchel Drees earned a spot in the record book at both the 8k and 10k distances while establishing a new mark for first-year runners.
"Chris is a tireless worker and a student of the sport. He is a thorough and organized leader," said Seago. "He relates well to the athletes and has been in their shoes. His standard of excellence will drive the Cougars in unprecedented ways."
"I am honored to give back to my alma mater and shape the future of our cross country and track and field programs," said Bailey. "I want to thank Matt Roberts and the administration for putting their trust in Mike and me to lead the program. I look forward to making student-athlete success, both on and off the track and cross country course, my number one priority."
Players Mentioned
Sprints
/ Women's Track & Field
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
Pole Vault
/ Women's Track & Field
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
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