Record-breaking Owen athlete to go the distance at UNC Asheville
Six-time individual state champion Craig Webb joins Bulldog running program
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 28, 2026
Coaches, teammates and supporters join Owen senior Craig Webb, as the six-time individual state champion signs with UNC Asheville. Photo by Fred McCormick
Every athletic season of Craig Webb’s final year at Owen High School has ended with cause for celebration.
The student-athlete, who won individual state championships in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track and field as a senior, added another accomplishment to his list, May 27, as he committed to continue his distance running career at University of North Carolina Asheville.
Webb, who collected six titles in the 2025-26 academic year, established himself as the winningest individual athlete in the school’s 70-year history. The state’s top 3A distance runner will join a Bulldogs program that includes two of his former Warhorse teammates—Jaheem O’Hara and Tadiyos Sloan-Westmoreland.
His future program will welcome a champion runner who has yet to reach his maximum potential, according to Owen cross country and track head coach Bob Sadlemire, who concluded his final season at the school.
“I still believe Craig is the most promising college runner that has ever come through this school,” he said. “He’s done just enough to win, which is interesting, but he’s going to be challenged in college. I feel like his skill set is so strong, once he gets with these competitive athletes, we’re going to see a different person.”
Webb, who captured the first individual cross country state championship in Owen history last fall, went on to earn a pair of gold medals, in the 1,600 meter and 3,200 meter runs, at the conclusion of the indoor track season the subsequent winter. He raced to a three victories, including his first 800 meter race title, in the outdoor track and field championship meet earlier this month.
“Talking to Joe Hyder, who is a hall of famer and has been around this program for more than 30 years, Craig has done something that no other track or cross country athlete has done here before,” said assistant principal and athletics administrator Nathan Padgett. “I think today is a day to celebrate him and those accomplishments.”
Webb is embracing the opportunity to continue his growth in the sport, which he began competing in as a freshman.
Owen distance runner Craig Webb, who won individual state championships in each of the three athletic seasons of his senior year, signs, May 27, with UNC Asheville. Photo by Fred McCormick
“I think being in an environment with a bunch of really competitive runners will push me to get better,” he said. “In college, there is never a guaranteed roster spot, so you have to work hard. You have to put in 100%, consistently, so I believe that’s going to motivate me to work even harder.”
Under Sadlemire, the athlete quickly learned his future in the sport may extend beyond high school.
“I mean, within six months of training, I was in the top three on the team, and that gave me a huge confidence boost early on,” Webb said. “It was really my sophomore year when I knew I really loved this sport.”
The runner is eager to join a program with O’Hara and Sloan-Westmoreland, his former Owen teammates and members of the 2022 Warhorse state championship cross country team.
“It’s local, and I was honestly a little hesitant at first, until I started seeing that they have really good runners. I was like, we may really have a consistently strong team,” Webb said. “Then, once I met the coach, and knowing Tadiyos and Jaheem, it all just felt right.”
The runner’s confidence, according to Sadlemire, sets him apart from many of his contemporaries.
“I see it in his running and in his mental attitude,” the coach said. “With that being sad, I’m going to miss him, and he has been, without a doubt, one of the best runners this school has ever seen.”
Webb credits Sadlemire and his Warhorse teammates for encouraging his love for running, which he does daily.
“They not only pushed me, but they made it fun,” said Webb, adding that running, during or outside of the season, represents a significant part of his life.
“Without running life is just not the same,” he said. “The feeling of euphoria, knowing all the hard work is paying off in a big event or moment is such a great feeling. And, spending time on the trails with teammates and friends is awesome.”