When the Track and Field season officially begins in February, the Hawks will have a new, yet familiar, coach leading the way. Latin alumna Malai Walker Moorman '08 will shift from her long-time position as a Varsity Assistant Coach into the head of program role, overseeing the 80-plus member Varsity squad as well as the Middle School team and its staff.
Moorman has held a place on the CLS Track and Field record board for many years. She was a three-sport athlete who competed in volleyball, basketball, and track, and earned a scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill for her sprinting abilities. Moorman returned to her alma mater in 2013 to coach Varsity Track and Field athletes, specializing in sprints and relays.
Athletic Director David Gatoux said that Charlotte Latin is fortunate to have her. "After a competitive career of distinction in which she achieved Athletic Hall of Fame status at CLS and All-ACC honors at UNC-CH, Malai Moorman has channeled her passion for the sport of track & field into coaching our Hawks for the past nine years. Through her commitment and keen ability to effectively connect with and support the development of our student-athletes, Coach Moorman has earned their respect and that of her colleagues, which will allow her to move into the head coaching role seamlessly," he said.
Outside of coaching, Moorman currently works in corporate risk as a testing officer for Wells Fargo Bank. She has more than ten years of testing and monitoring and risk management experience in the financial services industry. Moorman and her husband, Brock, welcomed their daughter, Maya, to the world in 2020.
Moorman said she is honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Latin track and field program.
"I'm standing on the shoulders of coaches who have established a standard of excellence in coaching and mentoring incredible young men and women. I intend to continue that tradition. My ultimate goals for the program are to equip our student-athletes with the tools and strategies to be efficient leaders, help them perform their personal best and have fun in the process. I'm excited to push the Hawks forward and can't wait to get started!"
Former head coach Sintayehu Taye will remain on as an assistant coach, overseeing the triple and long jump events, along with assistant coaches Mike Weiss (distance), Topher Gee (high jump), and Nick Ray (throwing). Bill Halverson has retired after coaching pole vault at CLS since 2005. Shelley Schuster, a CLS parent and former pole vault competitor, will join the coaching staff this spring to fill Halverson's role. The spring season officially begins February 13.
The Moorman Family 2022
Malai Walker '08 with CLS athletic awards earned
Malai Walker (2nd from right) competes for UNC Track & Field
Coach Walker congratulates DeMarkes Stradford '18 after the 100m race at the 2018 CISAA Championship
Coach Moorman warms up an athlete at a track meet in 2021
Coach Moorman works with Neil Salvage '23 at a home track meet in 2022