University Heights Academy will have a new cross country coach this fall after Carter Hendricks turned in his resignation earlier this month.
Hendricks told WHOP last week that he was stepping down to spend more time with his family.
UHA Athletics Director Taylor Sparks confirmed Monday morning that Hendricks had stepped down and that the school has hired Michael Finch as its cross country coach, effective last Friday.
Finch’s son, Jude, runs cross country for the Blazers.
Sparks said Hendricks will continue to coach the school’s track team next spring.
Hendricks took over the Blazers’ cross country coaching duties during the fall of 2022 and coached the team for three seasons. He coached UHA’s boys’ team to an 11th-place finish at the Class 1-A meet last year after taking third place at the Class 1-A, Region 1 Meet.
Finch said he was excited about the opportunity to coach the program this fall.
“I’m excited to work with our runners,” Finch said. “I’ve got big shoes to fill taking over for Coach Hendricks. He is still Head of Track and is helping guide me in this transition. He also is staying involved with our athletes.”
Most of the returning runners for both the Blazers and Lady Blazers competed at the state meet last fall.
“We’ve got an experienced, but young team and look to be very competitive in the Region,” Finch said. “It’s a tough region, but we’ve already set our sights on competing for the region title.”
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