The finish line isn’t near for Tristen Douthat as she signed to continue her running career at Tusculum University on Monday afternoon.
“It’s pretty nerve-wracking, but I’m really excited for the opportunity. I know that not a lot of people get to run in college, so I’m excited,” she expressed.
The dual-sport runner officially became a Pioneer in front of friends and family at Greeneville High School. Douthat will run for both Tusculum’s Lady Pioneer cross country and track & field teams in the fall and spring semesters.
For Douthat, it’s been a string of transitions since starting high school. Her freshman year was spent in North Carolina at Swansboro High School. Her sophomore year was spent with Chuckey-Doak’s two-person cross-country team. She then transferred to Greeneville her junior year where she became an All-State runner in last year’s spring fling. She will finish her high school career at Greeneville before transitioning again to Tusculum in the fall.
Tusculum wasn’t her only offer though. She was approached by many other schools with the opportunity to extend her career elsewhere, but ultimately decided to stay close to home. She explained her decision by saying, “I chose because of how close it is and how many opportunities they have there. Coach Gwynn is amazing. He really puts a lot of hard work into what he does and makes sure that they have the best meets lined up. He really puts a lot into practice and where they run.”
Tusculum’s cross-country team is coached by Alaric Gwynn. The track & field team is coached by Mason Allen. They compete in the South Atlantic Conference in the NCAA’s Division II level.
She explained the differences in both sports and how she prepares for them. “From track, I think the intensity part of it has really helped me because you’re running multiple events rather than just one long distance. It’s gotten me more confident in myself because I have to go out and do the best I can each time for the event. For cross country, I just give it my all in that. I don’t hold back.”
Her future aspirations in school are to major in interdisciplinary studies with a future career in K-5 teaching. She is currently doing service learning at Hal Henard with kindergarten students.
She spoke fondly about her time with Greeneville by saying. “It’s been really awesome. My teammates have pushed me so much. I never would’ve known that I would’ve made the great friends that I did.” Douthat expressed.
