Mountville Native Chayney Whelchel Named Head Cross Country Coach at USC Union
June 9, 2025
USC Union has named Mountville native Chayney Whelchel as its new Head Cross Country Coach, tapping into a deep well of local talent and passion for the sport.
Whelchel, a Laurens County local, brings a unique blend of experience in athletics and coaching to the program. She holds both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science from Piedmont Technical College, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Coaching from Erskine College.
“I have had a passion for coaching ever since I was little but was never sure what I wanted to coach until I started running cross country in the 9th grade,” Whelchel said. “Since then, I knew that I wanted to coach cross country!”
Her athletic journey is as diverse as it is impressive. Before finding her stride on the cross country course, Whelchel spent 14 years as a competitive dancer. At Erskine College, she was a four-sport athlete, competing in cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, and continuing her passion for competitive dance.
Whelchel now sets her sights on building a solid foundation for USC Union’s cross country program.
“One of my goals for the upcoming year is to form a strong girls and boys team, and to allow the first ever USC Union cross country team to thrive,” she said.
With a lifelong love of athletics and a commitment to developing student-athletes, Coach Whelchel is poised to lead the growing program with the same determination that fueled her own collegiate success.
