Benge comes to Southwestern from the State of North Carolina, where he was a head cross country coach and an assistant track & field coach at Harnett Central High School from 2016-2021. In that time, he was awarded Tri-County Cross Country Coach of the Year awards on three different occasions. His men's and women's cross country squads went on to the state championships four times in his stead. Coach Benge has coached five cross-country conference champions, 39 All-Conference runners, three regional champions, and guided three runners to All-State accolades in cross-country
As an assistant coach for track & field mid-distance and distance events, the men's and women's teams broke nine school records combined, all of which were in the mid-distance or distance categories. He also helped coach an athlete to a state title in the mile run.
His collegiate running days were spent running distance at Mars Hill University, which is an NCAA Division II school in the Appalachian portion of western North Carolina. Coach Benge received the award for "Highest GPA – Male Athlete" and "Mars Hill Athletics – Man of the Year" for his academics, community service, and athletic success at Mars Hill. Benge holds both Level 1 and Level 2 US Track & Field Endurance Coaching Certifications, which he earned through completing rigorous courses.
Benge loves being outside in God's creation where he is usually training for and competing in marathons, ultra-marathons, and other ultra-endurance events. Benge will begin his work immediately, and we welcome him as a new and important part of the Moundbuilder family.
