Charlie Mlotshwa has quickly established himself as one of Canada's brightest young distance runners. With a national title under his belt, provincial records to his name, and a fierce drive to improve, Mlotshwa's rise through the ranks has been nothing short of electric. Now, the Victoria-based standout is gearing up for the next chapter of his athletic and academic career: competing for the University of Tennessee.
Personal Bests
800m - 1:55.61
1500m - 3:48.00
1 Mile - 4:07.61
3000m - 8:12.21
2 Mile - 8:49.42
Career Accolades
U20 Canadian Champion in the 3000m at just 16 years old (2023)
BCHS Track Champion in the 3000m (2023), setting a new BC high school record
Multiple-time provincial record holder
The University of Tennessee, located in Knoxville, boasts a storied NCAA Division I athletics program and a reputation for cultivating elite track and field talent. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)-arguably the most competitive conference in the NCAA -- Tennessee provides athletes with world-class coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and a high-performance culture. For Mlotshwa, the Vols stood out immediately.
"Tennessee just resonated with me because of its incredible culture and the program's great track record," he shared. "I connected with Coach Justin Duncan, the new head coach, in early August, and after our first Zoom call, I was hooked."
Coach Duncan, formerly the assistant coach at Oklahoma State under renowned coach Dave Smith, brings a winning pedigree to the program. Mlotshwa is eager to grow under his guidance, as well as the broader coaching team including Coach Brian and Coach Rudolph.
"I'm beyond excited to train under Coach Duncan, soak up all his knowledge and experience, and push myself to compete at my highest level."
