In December of 2021, Jason Lewkowicz, Director of Cross Country and Track & Field, announced the hiring of Chester Hightower to head the Montreat men’s and women’s track & field programs.
Hightower joined the Cavaliers following three years as the Associate Track & Field Coach at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla. While with the Fire, Hightower saw numerous national achievements from his athletes. Under his direction for sprints and relays, SEU claimed its first national championship in the 2021 indoor women’s 4x400m relay and its initial individual track & field national champion in the 200m during the 2021 outdoor season. The Fire produced 28 national qualifiers and 21 All-Americans in their initial three years with Hightower on staff, translating to a program-best national ranking of No. 5 for both the men’s and women’s track & field teams.
In addition to national accolades, Hightower also coached his athletes to conference and institution success. Throughout his time with the school, Southeastern amassed numerous academic achievements as well as 20 individual SUN Conference Champions, while tallying six team championships. With Hightower’s assistance, the sprint group alone generated multiple school records and set seven conference records. Hightower coached a SUN Conference Freshman of the Year as well as two USTFCCCA South Region Finalists for Track Athlete of the Year. Due to the success of the program, Hightower earned a pair of USTFCCCA South Region Assistant Coach of the Year awards himself.
Prior to his time at SEU, Hightower played football and was a prominent track athlete at NCAA Division II Stillman College. From 2007 to 2010, he earned a football scholarship and immediately made an impact for his team. Hightower was named the Freshman of the Year, earned First Team All-Conference recognition and claimed the Most Outstanding Offensive Back award.
As a track athlete on scholarship from 2007 to 2011, Hightower amassed several conference and national distinguishments. Over those years, he was a three-time NCAA DII national qualifier, a two-time SIAC Champion, a First Team All-Conference honoree, a two-time Division II South Region Champion, placed on the All-Region Team, was twice the team’s MVP, won the team’s Top Performer award and was given the Best Track Athlete award.
In May of 2013, Hightower graduated from Stillman with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education. He is currently working toward his master’s degree in kinesiology from Southeastern with an anticipated graduation date of April of 2022.
Hightower started his own AAU track club in Thomasville, Ga., which has produced several AAU National Champions and additional region champions. He also served as the track coach and an assistant football coach at Thomas County Central Middle School for four years.
The Boston, Ga. native will transition to the Montreat area as the track & field seasons continue into 2022.
