BUENA VISTA, Va. - Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Kyle Chandler has announced further additions to the Southern Virginia University cross country and track & field staff.

Carlos Valle joins the program as an assistant coach for track and field, overseeing the throws. Sophie Dryden, a former student-athlete at SVU, joins as an assistant coach for cross country and will work with the mid-distance and distance teams during the track and field season.

Valle, a graduate of Southern Utah University, arrives in Buena Vista with an impressive resume as an athlete and coach.

"Carlos brings a wealth of NCAA and Brazilian International throwing experience and we are thrilled he has chosen SVU for the next chapter of his coaching career," stated Chandler.

As a student-athlete, Valle was a four-time NCAA regional qualifier, and was Summit League champion in the discus four times. He also excelled at the international level, finishing as high as second at the Brazilian national championships and earning a bronze medal at the 2016 Ibero-American games.

As a coach, he previously served as throws coach at his alma mater, but has also individually coached Brazilian national champions in the shot put and discus.

Valle expressed excitement when asked about his new role. 

"I'm excited for the chance to build something meaningful at Southern Virginia University. I see coaching as much more than working with athletes during practice. It's about recruiting and mentoring young people, building relationships with families and alumni, and helping create great opportunities for student-athletes."

Dryden joins the staff of a program that she helped build. Chandler expanded on the history she has with the team.

"Sophie started her collegiate career with a loud bang—winning her first collegiate cross country race and led Southern Virginia to its first regular season XC title—so she is living history within the program."

A graduate of BYU-Hawaii in 2024, she earned a B.S. in Biology - Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation. Outside of coaching, Dryden's pursuing a career in environmental science and has worked in an environmental microbiology lab, environmental education at Kahuku elementary, and in the nonprofit space at Boxerwood Nature Center.

"I understand how it feels to be a student-athlete with goals and ambitions, and now I get to be on the other side of that," said Dryden. 

"I love to be a part of that process and see these athletes achieve personal goals. I hope we can achieve a sense of unity on the team, where every athlete feels equally celebrated and empowered by their own accomplishments."

With a couple of fresh faces on the staff, the Southern Virginia University cross country and track and field teams are looking to add to over 20 team conference championships they've won in the USA South since 2021.

For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightxctf on Instagram.