Former Fort Valley State student-athlete Vernika Reeves, joined Clayton State Athletics in September of 2017. With the Lakers she will focus primarily on working with student-athletes competing in sprints and jumps.
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COLLEGIATE CAREER: FORT VALLEY STATE (2001-04)
Collegiately, Reeves was a member of the NCAA Division II Fort Valley State cross country and track & field programs from 2001-04. During that time she was named the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) cross country Most Valuable Runner and competed primarily in the 800- and 1,500 meters, mile and 400-meter hurdles.
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As a sophomore she would go on to set a personal best of 2:15.68 in the 800-meters while winning that event at the Samford Twi-light Invitational on April 27, 2002 before notching a PR of 1:07.43 in the 400-meter hurdles on March 29, 2003.She also served as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) during her freshman year.
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Following the completion of her collegiate career, Reeves served as an intern at the SIAC during the 2004-05 season. During that time she assisted with compliance, eligibility and NLI entries as well as Make-A-Wish, NCAA grant monies and SAAC involvement.
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She also brings extensive experience in both cross country and track & field to the Lakers, both from the high school and collegiate ranks. In addition to having competed in both at FVSU she served as the head coach of the girl’s cross country and track & field programs at Lithonia High School. She has also taught physical education there since the Spring of 2015.
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CERTIFICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
In addition to her exploits as a student-athlete and coach, Reeves has been very active in USA Track & Field Georgia, serving as the First Vice President over Media and Communication from 2011-13. In that position, her main responsibilities included the promotion and advertisement of events as well as supervising interns within track & field communications and media.
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Along with that experience, Reeves also holds a Level 1 Coaching Certification and is a National Certified Official with USA Track and Field. She has also served as an official in the past.
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EDUCATION
A 2007 graduate of Georgia Southern University, Reeves holds a Bachelor of Science as well as a Master’s of Science in Physical Education, Sports, and Exercise Science from the University of Central Missouri, the latter being earned in 2010.
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