WILKES-BARRE, PA (March 19, 2026) -- Following one of the most historic indoor seasons in program history, senior thrower Brandy Varner continues to raise the bar for King's College track and field - and she's not done yet.
 
Varner earned two All-American honors at the NCAA Division III Indoor Championships, becoming the first athlete in program history to accomplish the feat in a single season. Even now, the magnitude of the achievement is still sinking in.
 
"It kind of feels unreal," Varner said. "I don't think I've fully processed it yet, but it feels amazing."
 
A consistent theme throughout Varner's career has been her relentless drive for improvement. After breaking her own school record multiple times this season, including again on the national stage,  her mindset remains simple: keep pushing forward.
 
"Every day I just keep raising the bar," she said. "And I hold myself accountable to it."
 
That mentality is exactly what head coach Mike Kolinovsky challenged her to elevate entering the season; not just physically, but mentally.
 
"Let's get our mental preparation to where our physical attributes are," Kolinovsky said. "She's done a phenomenal job of that."
 
Varner's growth in that area proved to be a difference-maker. Previously struggling with pressure in big moments, she developed a new approach that helped her stay composed and build momentum throughout competitions.
 
"I would tell myself before my first throw, 'This isn't going to be my best throw, but it's going to get me into finals,'" Varner explained. "That helped me stay relaxed and build from there."
 
That approach paid off at nationals, where she surged onto the podium with a record-breaking throw of 17.64 meters.
 
Brandy's journey hasn't come without setbacks. After competing at outdoor nationals in discus last year, Varner used that experience as motivation rather than discouragement.
 
"It prepared me for this past indoor nationals," she said. "I used that setback as fuel to prepare me"
 
Beyond her individual success, Varner's impact on the program extends to her leadership and team-first mentality; something her coach values just as much as her accolades.
 
"She is an even better teammate than she is an athlete," Kolinovsky said. "She's surpassed expectations as a leader."
 
From supporting teammates during meets to putting in extra work behind the scenes, Varner has helped elevate the standard for King's throwers, a standard that continues to rise.
 
"I think anytime you can go to NCAA's - whether you podium or not - is an achievement in itself," Kolinovsky added. "What she did [has] set a bar that's going to be tough to beat."
As she transitions into her final outdoor season, Varner's goals are as ambitious as ever. With discus as her top event, she has her sights set on the ultimate prize.
 
"I want to be a national champion in discus," she said. Given her trajectory and belief in herself, it's a goal that feels well within reach.