Channing Wilson’s experiences as a student-athlete at Stanislaus State have had a major impact on her motivation to provide a well-rounded experience in which athletes can take the confidence and work-ethic they build on the javelin runway and put it to use in life.
During Wilson’s time at Stanislaus State as a student-athlete, she became a three-time CCAA Champion in the Javelin and a two-time runner up in the Hammer. She also competed at three NCAA National Championships in which she became a three-time All-American in the Javelin and an All-American in the Hammer. In 2016, Wilson set the Stanislaus State School Record in the Javelin with a throw of 51.72 meters (169 feet 8 inches). Wilson currently holds the CCAA Championships Meet Record in the Javelin at 49.42 meters (162 feet 1 inch). Wilson’s senior season concluded at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials where she placed 19th in the country.
As a first-generation college student, Wilson utilized the resources and philosophies provided by Stanislaus State to excel, not only in athletics, but more importantly, in her academics. She graduated with a Bachelors in Kinesiology, Health and Wellness Promotion with a Minor in Psychology. In 2016, Wilson was named Female Athlete of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year at Stanislaus State. She was also awarded the co-CCAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Following her senior season, Wilson was named as a Top 30 Finalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award, the highest achievement award for athletics, academics and community service a female student-athlete can receive.
The culmination of Wilson’s time as student-athlete encouraged her to continue competing post-collegiately. In 2017, Wilson competed at the USATF National Championships in Sacramento, California. The opportunity to compete amongst the best Javelin throwers in the United States pushed Wilson to a new personal record of 53.03 meters (173 feet 11 inches) which earned her 5th place.
In order to enhance her javelin knowledge, Wilson sought out opportunities to learn from those with more experience in the sport and has adapted her javelin training philosophies from her time spent training with those javelin greats. Throughout her time competing post-collegiately, Wilson practiced with three-time Olympian Karin Smith (PB 64.77 meters). In 2018, Wilson trained in Germany with Olympic and European Champion, Thomas Röhler (PB 93.90 meters). Wilson has also had multiple opportunities to learn from Kara Winger (PB 68.11 meters), who is the American Record Holder in the Women’s Javelin, 2022 World Championship Silver Medalist and four-time Olympian.
During Wilson’s time as an Assistant Track & Field Coach, Wilson has been instrumental in the development and success of the Men and Women Javelin throwers. Wilson has coached 5 Women and 5 Men to earn a place on the All-Time Career Top Ten List. Javelin throwers have earned 5 All-CCAA Honors under Wilson’s guidance. The top finish by a Stanislaus State Javelin thrower during Wilson’s time as a coach was in 2019, when Franchesca Shepard placed second in the CCAA Championships with a throw of 42.47 meters (139 feet 4 inches). Franchesca Shepard concluded her 2019 season with a throw of 43.70 meters (143 feet 4 inches), a provisional qualifying mark that ranked her 25th on the NCAA DII Outdoor Qualifying List.
Wilson’s experience at Stanislaus State has shaped her coaching philosophy tremendously. Wilson has experienced amazing opportunities through Track and Field and knows that having a coach that believes in you, teammates who push you, a community that supports you and most importantly a family that picks you up when you fail are the stepping stones that guided her to those experiences. Wilson’s goal as a coach is to be one of many stepping stones in an athlete’s journey to believe in themselves and the resources available to them at Stanislaus State. Go Warriors!!
