Bio

Prior to joining Mount Mercy before the 2021-22 season, Varner served as a volunteer coach for The University of Iowa (2014-2016) while also spending time working with the sprint and hurdle events at Iowa City West High School. He spent three years as the assistant track & field coach for the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, working with sprints, hurdles, vertical and horizontal jumps (2011-2014). The 2010-11 season was spent at Grand View University in Des Moines. Varner holds USATF Level I coaching certification, USTFCCCA Level 1 Sprints, Hurdles, & Relays certification, as well as Level 1 Jumps certification. A 2010 graduate of The University of Iowa majoring in health and sports studies, Varner was the 2010 Big Ten Champion in the 400-meter hurdles, a runner-up at the Drake Relays, and qualified for the NCAA championships while posting a career best of :50.24 that same year. He qualified for the NCAA National Championships three times in that event. A native of Wadsworth, Ill., Varner graduated from Warren Township High School where he was the Illinois state champion in the 300-meter hurdles and runner-up in the 110-meter hurdles.