Girls Preparatory School's high school cross country runners are becoming an Outlaw program.
The school announced Friday that Katie Outlaw is moving up to varsity head coach for the 2018 fall semester. She has been the middle school track and cross country coach this year, and she serves as school psychologist and learning specialist.
A competitive runner at distances up to ultra-marathons, she previously developed the cross country and track programs at Normal Park, and she works with the Chattanooga Youth Running Initiative.
"We are very fortunate to have Katie Outlaw taking over this role for us next fall," GPS athletic director Jay Watts said in the announcement release. "She brings a tremendous amount of experience and enthusiasm to the position. She has not only the technical knowledge to help our runners succeed but also a background in sports psychology that will provide additional training resources for our program."
Outlaw is on the Chattanooga Track Club race team and holds a Tennessee age-group record for two miles.
"I'm so grateful and excited for this opportunity," she said in the release. "Distance running has been a huge part of my life over the past two decades and has opened so many doors for me. Running requires you to dig deep, practice patience and consistency and remain focused and confident. These are all qualities that young women need to be successful beyond high school."
GPS is the reigning cross country Division II-AA state champion, having won under Jeff Gaither last November in Nashville. Gaither later resigned as coach.