For the Newsomes, running runs in the family. Art teacher Nate Newsome coaches track and cross country. His oldest daughter, Mackenzie Newsome, earned a scholarship to Tusculum University in Tennessee through her running prowess. Now his son, senior Brock Newsome, and his youngest daughter, freshman Blair Newsome, are continuing the trend.

Brock began running competitively in the seventh grade. He was instantly hooked and decided to keep at it.

“I tried out, and I thought the atmosphere was cool. I just started running from there. My dad had been coaching since I was born, and he always wanted me to do it, too. The whole family was behind me when I started, and it was fun, so I kept doing it,” he said.

Blair had a similar start to her running career.

“I started running in middle school. My friends originally got me into it, but I really enjoyed the team vibe, which is still one of my favorite things about running,” she said.

Not many athletes can successfully perform on multiple teams. Brock Newsome runs for three: cross country, indoor track and spring track, and he loves every minute of it.

“It’s a good group of guys, and I like getting to spend every single day with them. It’s a good community,” he said.
Brock hopes that the running he loves will also make financial sense for him and his family in the future. He plans to follow in his oldersister’s footsteps.

“Running seems to be my best chance at getting into college and it being paid for. If I can pay for my own college like my sister did, that’d be nice, and running seems to be my best option,” he said.
Continuing a family legacy as successful as the Newsomes’ seems like a tall order, but Blair is ready to accept the challenge and run for all four years.

“I think there are high expectations for me because of my family legacy, but they just drive me to work hard and push through workouts,” she said.

The Newsome family has been imperative to Titan track and cross country for many years, and their influence will continue to provide a boost for the foreseeable future.