RADFORD CROSS COUNTRY ALUM JEFF CUSTER TO BE INDUCTED INTO VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME

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RADFORD, Va. – Thanks to his historic career as a high school boys and girls outdoor track & field, indoor track and cross country coach, former Radford cross country runner Jeff Custer will be one of 10 inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame this summer.

Custer was a record-setting runner at Christiansburg High School and went on to have an extremely successful collegiate career as a Highlander. Alongside teammates Danny Sturgill, Chris Conboy, Ron Witherow and Radford Athletics Hall of Famer Donnie Tickle, he earned Big South All-Conference honors and led the Highlanders to the first conference title in program history in 1985.

His contributions that season kicked off a run of dominance that saw the Radford men's cross country team take home the Big South title for six straight years between 1985 and 1990.

Following graduation, Custer coached at Christiansburg from 1988-92, leading the Blue Demons to three consecutive Group AA boys cross country titles from 1989-91. He moved on to Woodbridge (1992-95), Gar-Field (1995-2009) and Lake Braddock (2009-present). He has coached 13 state championship teams along with a two-time Olympian -- Gar-Field's Sheena Johnson.

The Virginia High School Hall of Fame recognizes those who have contributed in outstanding ways to activities programs serving Virginia's youth. Sponsored by the Virginia High School League (VHSL), the hall is dedicated to preserving the rich heritage of outstanding achievements by students and adults in sports and activities within Virginia's public high schools.

Coaches, such as Custer, are eligible after 15 years of experience or upon retirement and are judged on the merits of their achievements at the high school level.

Custer will be inducted June 23 during a ceremony at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Charlottesville. His fellow inductees include Billy Baber, Natalie Baird Etheridge, Kenny Easley, Larry Stepney, Rebecca Wakefield-Snider, Bill Dee, Lou Sorrentino, Nancy Burke and Ernie Hicks.

For more information on Radford Athletics follow @RU_Athletics on Twitter, @RadfordAthletics on Instagram and Radford Athletics on Facebook.

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