Monday, June 28, 2004

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June 28, 2004) - East Tennessee State University track and field assistant coach Michelle Byrne announced today the addition of Kassandra Harrell (Lancaster, Calif.) as an assistant coach in charge of throws and multis for the Buccaneers squad beginning in the 2004-05 season. "I am excited at the addition of Kassandra to our coaching staff," stated Byrne. "She is an extremely talented athlete and her expertise in throws and multi events will help us to strengthen our program and become more competitive in those areas." Harrell is a graduate of Southern Utah University (SUU) and holds a degree in psychology with a minor in health education. She was a student-athlete from 1999 to 2004 participating in the shot put, discus, hammer, and javelin and was named to the all-conference team every year she competed. In her first year, she won Mid-Con newcomer of the year honors after winning the shot put at the indoor conference meet. Her career was slowed due to elbow surgery in 2001, but she was able to recover and returned to compete in the 2002 season. Harrell owns both the school's indoor (47-8 ½) and outdoor (50-6 ¾) records in the shot put; both marks were set in her final season. In addition to her coaching duties, Harrell also will be pursuing her master's degree in marriage and family therapy.