Robbinsville athletics losing 3-sport coach

Robbinsville – Just as the Black Knights’ athletic department was prepared for a temporary breather, Kaitlyn Carringer-Adams tendered her resignation from Robbinsville High School.

Aside from her classroom duties as a history teacher, the 25-year-old county native had all three of the school’s running sports to oversee: cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field.

Carringer-Adams was a prolific runner while at Robbinsville. A 2016 graduate, she attracted the attention of Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tenn., and signed to run both cross country and track for the Buffaloes fresh out of high school.

After one year, she chose to transfer to Maryville (Tenn.) College, where she finished her time at the next level of competition. Immediately after graduating in 2019, Carringer-Adams was hired to the roles as a high school history teacher, and head coach of both middle and high school cross-country programs.

Now the college where she obtained her degree has brought her back aboard – this time to serve as both the school’s head coach for cross country, and both men’s and women’s track & field.

“I originally was not looking for a change in careers and had honestly been looking at master’s programs in education, but one day stumbled upon the head cross country/assistant track coach job at Maryville College,” Carringer-Adams told The Graham Star on Tuesday. “At first, I didn’t think much about it, but it stayed on my mind. I prayed about it for a while and felt like I was supposed to apply.”

Her departure from Robbinsville was revealed Friday. She took over the high school track & field program for the 2023 season and was at the helm of things for seven state championships: Zoie Shuler collected five between indoor and outdoor track in long, triple and high jump; while Brock Adams exited Robbinsville’s by successfully retaining his grip on the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles outdoor titles.

“I am extremely grateful that I received the position as head coach of the high school outdoor track team this past season,” Carringer-Adams said. “The kids had a very successful season, and I believe the program will continue to improve, especially with this upcoming freshman class.”

Not one to shy away from a tough endeavor, she is ready to get to work on the collegiate programs beyond the Tail of the Dragon.

“(Maryville Track & Field Director) coach (Kunle) Lawson and I plan on heavily recruiting to build up the program the next few years,” Carringer-Adams said. “In order to do this, I plan on utilizing my connections with coaches in Western North Carolina, as well as bring my knowledge that I have learned as a coach at Robbinsville and as an athlete at both Robbinsville and Maryville.”

The assignment she is taking might be daunting to some, but she has never been one to turn down a tough endeavor – especially with the Lord always in her corner.

And the choice to leave her high school alma mater was not an easy one.

“During my time coaching, I have had athletes earn plenty of prestigious awards; however, I believe my biggest achievement as a coach is just getting the kids to enjoy the sport and making connections with them,” Carringer-Adams said. “I love how Robbinsville’s track program isn’t just the current athletes, but it’s all the previous team members as well. For a lot of the athletes who have gone through the program, some of their best memories and friendships came from track and I enjoy being able to be a part of that.

“I have never thought about leaving Robbinsville, but I felt like God had opened these doors for me, and that I needed to take a leap of faith and follow what I believe He is wanting me to do. I will miss Robbinsville more than anything, but I am extremely excited about this new journey.” 

Robbinsville High School Athletic Director Dee Walsh confirmed to The Star on Tuesday that the search to fill the voids is already underway.