As the only senior on the North Lincoln outdoor track squad, Chandler Mccaslin finds herself with a lot of trail and oval experience to share with her underclass teammates. She says, "All the girls on my team now are at least two years younger than me so I had to learn how to be a leader and a role model for them and help them get through some of things I've been through with the sport." She continues, "I have been running track since 7th grade, but I started getting serious about it in my freshman year of high school and have been ever since."
Her mom agrees, "Chandler sees her seniority as a blessing and really tries to remember what it was like to be a young runner. She supports, befriends, and teaches these young girls everything she has learned."
Jerry Castro, her coach throughout her high school career, seconds these sentiments. He says, "she is the perfect teammate and role model for the rest of the team. She treats our freshman like she's known them for years. " Coach Castro has known Mccaslin for years. He began recruiting a sixth grade Mccaslin on Sunday mornings when they saw one another at church.
Mccaslin is a versatile competitor and saved the best for last: her dedication has led to senior year PRs in everything from the cross country 5k to the 500 and 1000 indoors, and 400, 800, and 1600 outdoors. Clad in her Nike Grind Spikes and royal blue Knights singlet, she claimed first at the Marvin Ridge Invite in the 1600 with a 5:07 clocking. She went sub 19 at the NXN SE meet in Cary just missing top 30 in 18:42.80. At the NXN SE meet Mccaslin ran more than seventy seconds faster than her junior year effort.
Mccaslin shares, "My favorite two meets are Marvin Ridge because I have good PR memories there and the meet I did recently at NC State because it gave me a feel for what college track meets will be like and it was very laid back."
Watch Chandler Mccaslin win the 1600 at her favorite meet, the Marvin Ridge Invitational
The UNCG commit credits her grit with helping her reach her goals. She says, "I think what makes me stand out is my love for the sport no matter how things are going at that time. I don't like to give up and am determined to break through any walls in front of me." She continues, " I enjoy running because of the thrill of racing and accomplishing something I work hard for every day. God has given me this gift and I enjoy using the legs he blessed me with." Coach Castro adds, "Her sportsmanship and the way she supports her teammates and her competition make her stand out in the crowd. She's quick to congratulate others even if she didn't have her best race."
