NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State sprints coach Adam Pennington has been promoted to Associate Head Coach for NSU track, head coach Mike Heimerman announced Tuesday.

Pennington's impact was felt in his first season as his sprinters were key in a second-place finish for the women and a third-place effort for the men at the 2016 Southland Conference Outdoor Championships.

The sprinters, under Pennington's guidance, captured seven of the 18 total sprint medals awarded in the 13-member conference, including five of the six gold medals.

Micah Larkins (100 meters) and Amir James (200 meters) won on the men's side while the NSU women made a clean sweep of the 100 (Jermeka McBride), 200 (McBride) and 400 (De'Shayln Jones) titles at the conference championships.

Pennington helped McBride (SLC track athlete of the year) and George Flaviano (SLC newcomer of the year) capture conference honors. McBride also participated in the Bahamian Olympic Trials and broke the school record in the 200 meters, while James owns NSU's 60 meters record.

The 4X100 men's relay of James, Larkins, Flaviano and Ty Shilling were NCAA All-Americans (15^th-place finish) after winning a conference title.

"He stepped up in everything I've ever asked him to do," Heimerman said. "Whether it's recruiting or admissions work, he's gone above and beyond. For him to take the next step in his career, not that I want him to leave, but this type of experience will help him realize his future goals.

"He related to the kids really well, and the kids responded to him. He's a problem solver -- I don't have to micromanage him. He's a thinker and can handle a lot of things without even asking me."

Pennington led five sprinters to All-Louisiana honors, four to SLC weekly honors and 10 to top-five performances in NSU history in their respective events in his first season.