The Tracksmith Varsity Club is an NIL program designed to support college track & field and cross country athletes hoping to transition to the next level of competition by offering unique development opportunities to prepare them for the new challenges ahead. The inaugural class of student-athletes will receive a Tracksmith gear stipend and mentorship from Amateur Support Program athletes throughout the year. At the end of their 2024 collegiate seasons, they will also have the opportunity to travel to Europe to spectate a Diamond League meeting and experience what international competition looks like. The Varsity Club gives student-athletes the resources they need to compete at the highest level and the opportunity to learn - through mentorship and direct experience - what it takes to be the best on and off the track.
Class of 2024
We are proud to introduce our inaugural class of the Tracksmith Varsity Club. This group of athletes was chosen not only for their accomplishments in track & field but also for how the Varsity Club can help them achieve their future ambitions. We are honored to be working with them for the year to come.
Alexandra Carlson
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
Event: Middle Distance
PR: 4:31.51 mile, 8:56.15 3000m
Alex’s love of running has been cultivated by the bonds she’s formed over miles run with friends, but as soon as the gun goes, she thrives on the challenge of competition. “I know what the overall goal is and being able to go through a journey of finding yourself through all these different disciplines in order to achieve what you really want. I think it's something really special.”
Alex Korczynski
Northeastern University
Event: Steeplechase
PR: 8:39.16 3000m steeplechase
Alex’s first love was soccer, but when he began to focused on running in college, he quickly came to appreciate the democracy of the sport – how his hard work delivered rapid improvement. Not one to shy away from big goals, Alex thrives under the spotlight of racing, “I find joy in knowing that it's hard because a lot of the pressure is on yourself and I like that.”
Carter Solomon
University of Notre Dame
Event: Distance
PR: 3:57.13 mile, 13:26.11 5000m
After, in his own words, “realizing I wasn't playing in the NBA”, Carter went all-in on track. In the process, he’s learned to love the daily rituals of running. “Maybe you're having a bad day at school, you show up to the locker room, you see your best friends and you get to workout together. It's freeing and it's the best part of everyone's day.”
Isabella Whittaker
University of Pennsylvania
Event: Long Sprints
PR: 51.92 400m
In high school, running drew out a competitive side in Isabella that she didn’t know existed, and she’s still driven by that fire to surpass expectations today. “What I love about the 400m is that it takes a lot of heart to run it. When I’m in a really tough practice or race, right now I've been saying to myself a lot, ‘you're trying to do something special’. I don't know why, but that gives me a lot of confidence.”
Jaheem Hayles
Syracuse University
Event: Hurdles
PR: 13.28 110m Hurdles
Growing up in Jamaica, Jaheem played every sport you can think of, but track and soccer were his two passions. He always believed he would compete internationally, but wasn’t sure which sport it would be until his senior year in high school when he started hurdling. He still loves soccer, but track is his sole focus, with the Paris Olympics a realistic goal.
Kayla Windemuller
University of Michigan
Event: Steeplechase
PR: 9:47.36 3000m steeplechase
Kayla almost didn’t end up running after quitting track in elementary school because it wasn’t hard enough, fortunately she gave it another try. Now, years later, she’s still finding pleasure in the hard work. “You're gonna have really bad days and that's just part of the sport and you can't get too down about it because you're gonna get up the next day and try again.”
Luke Tewalt
Wake Forest University
Event: Distance
PR: 3:38.52 1500m, 13:43.60 5000m
Being a world-class athlete has always been a dream for Luke and he’s willing to do the hard work to make it happen – his favorite workout of the week is a day when he has a hard session and a lift. “I really love to get my body to the point where I feel myself getting better and there's a tangible feeling of the work being put in.”
Megan Marvin
Furman University
Event: Middle Distance
PR: 2:04.18 800m, 4:13.47 1500m
Despite growing up the daughter of a DI runner, it wasn’t until Megan realized she could beat all the boys at school – and have a lot of fun doing so – that she started to gravitate toward running. Now she’s all-in. “Commitment is showing up regardless and putting yourself out there because you never know what might happen. Take a chance on yourself no matter what.”
Nick Foster
University of Michigan
Event: Middle Distance
PR: 3:38.78 1500m
A true middle distance athlete, Nick loves ripping reps on the track and testing himself in races: “When you step out on a track and there's just 10 people and everyone watching you, you’re vulnerable and you learn a lot about yourself in those situations.”
Nya Bussey
Ohio State University
Event: Sprints
PR: 11.08 100m, 22.90 200m
Growing up as a gymnast, Nya’s speed was always her strength and her days in the gym also taught her how to handle the pressure that comes with the fine margins of sprinting. “I know what I'm supposed to do when I get out the blocks. I just try to stay within myself and within my lane as that just helps me compete better and stay grounded.”
ATHLETICS ABROAD
Athletes will travel to Europe for a week-long trip to experience international track & field first hand.
TRACKSMITH GEAR
Athletes will receive gear stipends for apparel, footwear and accessories. They will also have access to the latest Tracksmith product introductions and will be considered for wear-testing programs.
ATHLETE MENTORSHIP
Athletes will be assigned a mentor from Tracksmith’s Amatuer Support Program. In addition, athletes will have access to bi-monthly seminars and Q&A sessions with elite athletes, agents, coaches, and media personnel to help prepare them for post-collegiate athletics.
