ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Winthrop University head men's and women's track & field/cross country coach Raffael Craig has announced the hiring of Mashario Morton on Friday morning. 

"I am thrilled to welcome Mashario Morton back to Winthrop University," said Craig. "As one of the most accomplished student-athletes in program history, Mashario distinguished herself as an Eagle and has since built an impressive reputation as a collegiate coach. Her passion, experience, and commitment to student-athlete development make her an outstanding addition to our staff." 

Morton arrives in Rock Hill after serving as an assistant at Catawba College, where she worked with the Indians' throwers. She comes to Winthrop with an extensive coaching background that includes a four-year head coaching tenure at Newberry College. 

During her time leading the Wolves' men's and women's programs, Morton transformed Newberry's throwing program into a consistent presence in the South Atlantic Conference. She coached Jase Hunter to the program's first-ever SAC individual championship in the weight throw, while also developing Andrea Pascual-Rivera (hammer throw) and Tiwani Myles (discus) into the first outdoor SAC event champions in program history. In the 2021-22 season, the Wolves produced four USTFCCCA All-Region honorees, the first in program history during the indoor season, while both the men's and women's teams posted their highest-ever finishes at the SAC Championships. 

Before being elevated to the head role at Newberry, Morton spent two seasons as an assistant with the Wolves' programs after joining the staff in 2019. 

Prior to the collegiate level, Morton served as Head Girls' Track & Field Coach at Dixie High School, where she produced 11 state champions and guided the program to back-to-back region championships. Under her watch, Dixie's athletic department earned the Carlisle Cup as the top overall 1A athletic program in the state. 

A Winthrop alum and four-year throws competitor for the Eagles, Morton arrived in Rock Hill as one of South Carolina's most decorated prep athletes, having captured six state championships in the discus and shot put. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance in 2016, with minors in Coaching and Women and Gender Studies. 

"Coach Morton embodies the values and vision of our program, and I am confident she will play a pivotal role in helping us reach new levels of excellence.," stated Craig.