LEWISBURG- Last week, Greenbrier East girls’ track star and multiple state champion, Annie Whited, accepted and committed to run track at the next level for the Marshall Thundering Herd.
Whited, who owns numerous school records, won state titles last season in the 400-meters and the 4×200 relay team, and then finished in 11th place out of 104 runners at the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, NC. She received high point honors at states last year as well, the first Spartan to do it since Andy McClintic.
When weighing Marshall’s offer, the senior came up with several options as to why they were easily her top choice.
“I felt confident about receiving an offer from Marshall because I genuinely connected with the coaches, the campus environment, and the team’s values,” Whited explained.
“The coaching staff appears to run a strong program, both in their training methods and in the way they build a close, family-oriented team culture. They emphasize that you are a person first—before being an athlete or a student—which makes the environment feel supportive and welcoming. The campus itself is beautiful, well-maintained, and easy to navigate. Additionally, the track and field program features a great indoor facility, which is especially beneficial for training during colder months. That’s something I truly value in a program,” she added.
Very detailed in expectations for herself, Whited is already thinking about some practical goals she can set and hopefully reach in her first year in Huntington.
“As a freshman at Marshall, I want to set realistic and achievable goals for my first season. In the 100-meters, I’m aiming to run 11.6. In the 200- meters, my goal is 24.2, and in the 400-meters, I want to run 55.5. I believe these are strong but attainable marks, and I’m hopeful I can reach — or even surpass — them early in the season,” she stated.
“Beyond individual times, another major goal of mine is to earn a spot on one of the relay teams. Making it to conference as part of a relay would be especially meaningful to me.”
But first, before the glamour of high major college track, Whited still has what should be an extraordinary senior season coming up with the Spartans which she has continued to prepare for since last May when 2025 came to a close.
“I have really just stayed consistent. I have taken a couple break periods in my training since past track season, but really, I have stayed consistent with my times and training. I have started weight training a lot more and focusing really on just getting stronger, more powerful, and more aggressive physically,” Whited said.
She also has plans to reset her own school records this season. Something that seemed tough to do before, is now just another day at the office for the speedster.
“I’m planning to break my 100m, 200m, and 400m records again — and the relay records too. I think trying to re-break your own records is a fun goal because it really shows how much you’ve progressed over the year,” she said confidently.
But the school’s goals and her personal ones are not the only ones Whited has in mind. When as talented as she is, she understands that aiming for statewide prominence is not only a fun goal to have, but a legitimate and realistic one as well.
“One of my biggest goals is to break the state records in both the 100-meter and 200-meter. I’m already close, but I know it won’t be easy. As long as I stay healthy and keep pushing myself, I truly believe I can make it happen,” Whited said.
“Another goal I’m aiming for is earning Gatorade Player of the Year. It’s a tough achievement, but it’s definitely within reach if I continue to put in the work. But above all, I hope to win the state championship as a team one last time with my girls. That would mean more to me than anything,” she concluded.
