Williamsburg track standouts Caley Pringle and Cody Minnie signed National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers at the University of Rio Grande. Pictured are, seated, from left to right, Sherry Pringle, Caley Pringle and Gary Pringle; standing, Rio Grande director of cross country/track & field Steve Gruenberg, Rio Grande assistant coach Burt Wood, Rio Grande assistant coach Yulia Vasilyeva, Rio Grande assistant coach Mary Beth Schramm, Rio Grande head coach Bob Willey, Rio Grande assistant coach Nick Wilson, Rio Grande assistant coach Glen Queen.
Pictured are, seated, from left to right, Sherry Pringle, Caley Pringle and Gary Pringle; standing, Rio Grande director of cross country/track & field Steve Gruenberg, Rio Grande assistant coach Burt Wood, Rio Grande assistant coach Yulia Vasilyeva, Rio Grande assistant coach Mary Beth Schramm, Rio Grande head coach Bob Willey, Rio Grande assistant coach Nick Wilson, Rio Grande assistant coach Glen Queen.

By Chris Chaney
Sun staff

A pair of Williamsburg track and field athletes will continue their athletic and academic careers at the University of Rio Grande, the school announced last week.

Cody Minnie and Caley Pringle inked National Letters of Intent to compete for the RedStorm track and field teams this coming season after standout careers as Wildcats.

“I’ve always wanted to compete at the collegiate level,” Minnie said in a statement released by Rio Grande. “I’m very excited about continuing my career as a member of the RedStorm.”

“I’m very excited to sign with Rio and to be able to continue participating in track,” Pringle said. “Honestly, I really didn’t think much about (competing) at the collegiate level.”

Pictured are, seated, from left to right, Sharon Minnie and Cody Minnie; Standing, Rio Grande head coach Bob Willey, Rio Grande assistant coach Burt Wood, Rio Grande assistant coach Yulia Vasilyeva, Rio Grande director of cross country/track & field Steve Gruenberg, Rio Grande assistant coach Nick Wilson, Rio Grande assistant coach Glen Queen.
Both Minnie and Pringle enjoyed exceptional careers at the high school level that included multiple sports, but both will be focusing on their track and field careers at the next level.

Minnie was a two-time Southern Buckeye Conference champion in the long jump and a First Team All-Conference selection as a junior and a senior. He qualified for the regional tournament in the long jump after winning the district tournament with a jump of 20-08.50, his career best.

On the track, Minnie ran in the 100- and 200-meter dash as well as being a member of the regional-qualifying 4×100-meter relay team.

Minnie also played football for the Wildcats and was a key contributor to the 2013-14 playoff team. He averaged seven yards per carry and scored three touchdowns on the season.

At Rio Grande, Minnie is expected to compete in the same events he excelled at in high school.

“Cody is one of those people who can come in and have an immediate impact for our team,” Steve Gruenberg, URG director of cross country and track and field, said. “He’ll add to our already established jumps team. We can also see him being a part of our 4x100m relay squad. I can’t wait to help him achieve his goals.”

Minnie plans to major in business.

For Pringle, the Lady Wildcats do-everything senior was a mainstay on the podium for her expertise on the track and in the field. As a jumper, Pringle competed in the high and long jump as well as the pole vault. She finished runner up in all three field events at the SBC Meet, but qualified for the regional tournament in both the pole vault and high jump.

For her all-around prowess, she was named the National Division Field Athlete of the Year.

On the track, Pringle was the Lady Wildcats’ top hurdler, competing in both the 100- and 300-meter events. She was the league champion and a regional qualifier in the 100-meter hurdles.

At Rio Grande, Pringle will continue to compete in her strongest events while also learning some new ones to help the team.

“Caley will be able to help us out in multiple events,” said Gruenberg. “She’ll help us out right away in both the 100 hurdles and long jump.

“I plan on also working with her in the 400 hurdles and triple jump as some new events for her. I also think that she can help out our relay teams. We’re very happy to have Caley as a part of our program.”

Pringle plans to study Adolescent to Young Adult Education, specializing in science.