Nolensville Track And Field Q&A: Coach Kyle Manderfeld

How many years have you coached at Nolensville High?

Five years. I’ve been on the football staff as a defensive assistant all five of those years. This will be my third season serving as the head coach for track and field.

What are your expectations of the 2024 Team?

I expect growth. I believe both the girl’s and boy’s teams will be deeper than in years past. We’ve always had a few top-tier athletes, and we do again this year. I think the difference will be more athletes to push that top tier and score points for us.

Who are your key Seniors?

Sterling Weldon is coming back after competing in the state track meet in four events. He was 4th in the triple jump and 2nd in the long jump. 

Searcy Mooney is a very versatile athlete. She can run anything from a 400 to a 3200 and run it well. Searcy was also a
state competitor.

Top players to watch?

Sterling is also a very versatile athlete. He posted an indoor long jump of 24-4, which is 2nd in the country, and his triple jump is 48-6, currently 4th in the nation. I also expect him to do well in the 100 and 200 this year.

Claire Stegall is going into her junior year. She has consistently been ranked in the nation’s top five for the 1600m since her freshman year. She has won three individual state championships and has broken two
state records.

She also ran on the girl’s 4×400 relay team that finished
4th in the state last year.

Brandon Brooks ranks 3rd in state currently with a 45 foot triple, and Emory Nixon has a 41-1 indoor triple jump.

Jack Glisson-Schlitt also returns as one of our best milers.

Any new players that will make an impact this year?

It’s too early to tell, but there are already 36 freshmen working out with us, and we will gain a lot more after winter sports conclude. So far there is a lot of potential.

What should fans know about this year’s team?

It’s a very tight-knit group of athletes. They are really fun to be around, and they put a lot of trust in their coaches, which always makes us feel good. 

They also care for each other and their teammates’ success. Track is an individual sport, but I think we have great TEAM chemistry at Nolensville.