Simms Takes over Montreat Track & Field Programs

MONTREAT, N.C.— Jacob Simms has been hired as the second Montreat head track and field coach in program history as announced by the athletic department late last week.
 
Simms joins the Cavaliers following a six-year stint as a cross country and track and field coach at Southern Wesleyan University, an NCAA Division II institution located in Central, S.C. During the first part of his time with the Warriors, Simms helped run the cross country teams' day-to-day operations while also working specifically with the distance runners on the track team. For the final three years of his tenure at SWU, Simms continued to run point for cross country, but saw extensive duties with the track and field team as well, coaching the aspects of distance, sprints and jumps for the team. 
 
"I look forward to serving this program and campus to which God has graciously called me," Simms shared. "Our aim will be to use the crucible of college track and field and cross country to grow young men and women into the people that God is calling them to be. Let the adventure begin!"
 
Prior to his time at Southern Wesleyan, Simms served as the head coach of the North Greenville University track and field programs for two years. Before being named head coach, Simms also spent a few years assisting the NGU cross country and track and field programs.
 
Across his two coaching stops, Simms saw his athletes achieve a plethora of success. During his near-decade long run, Simms aided North Greenville and Southern Wesleyan athletes to more than 30 individual conference titles, over 50 all-conference performances, more than 40 NCAA All-Region showings, over 20 NCAA qualifying marks and seven NCAA Division II All-American efforts.
 
"I am thrilled to add Jake to our amazing staff," noted Jason Lewkowicz, Director of Cross Country and Track and Field. "He is a tremendous leader and gifted coach who understands our mission to pursue excellence through a Christ-centered worldview. I believe that he will enhance what we have already been doing and help us take our track and field programs to new heights."
 
A college athlete himself, Simms competed at both the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and North Greenville. Simms helped the UT-Chattanooga distance medley relay win a Southern Conference Championship, and he did the same with the Crusaders' 4x400 meter relay team in the Conference Carolinas Championship. Individually, Simms claimed eight all-conference honors between the two schools, and he held the North Greenville men's indoor 800-meter record with a time of 1:56.03 until this past season. 
 
Academically, Simms graduated from North Greenville with a bachelor's degree in history.
 
A native of Nashville, Tenn., Simms plans to move to the Montreat, N.C. area with his wife, Whitney, and their two children, Cooper and Milly.
 
"My wife and I have been sincerely welcomed by the Montreat community, and for that, we are grateful," Simms added. "Many thanks are due to President Paul Maurer, Vice President Jose Larios and Coach Lewkowicz for their emboldening trust and belief in my abilities and aspirations."
 
Simms assumed his duties as Montreat's head track and field coach earlier this week and plans to continue the rapid ascent of both Cavalier track and field teams.

(Story provided by Montreat Sports Information; Photo provided by John Bolton Photography)