Swain County cross country and indoor track coach Keith Payne dies

Swain County cross country and indoor track and field coach and outdoor track assistant coach Keith Payne died Saturday.

"It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of a cherished staff member, Keith Payne on Saturday afternoon," Swain County schools superintendent Mark Sale said in a news release Sunday. "Keith was a valuable member of the Swain County Schools family and a beloved coach and community member. We ask that you keep Keith’s family in your thoughts. Coaches and counseling staff have met with current cross country team members and will be on hand for anyone that needs additional support over the next few days."

School officials added Swain County Middle School and Swain County High School staff members are invited to gather before the start of school Monday at 7 a.m., at the Swain Middle School and Swain High Media Center for a time to be together and process the loss.

A crisis and counseling team will be on hand for staff and students throughout the week.

Payne has been a coach for the Maroon Devils since 2019 and helped them become a powerhouse program in North Carolina girls cross country and track. Swain County has three straight NCHSAA 1A state titles in girls cross country. Payne also helped the girls indoor track team win three straight NCHSAA 1A/2A state championships. He has also helped the outdoor track team win four straight girls state championships and the boys state championship last season.

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Payne previously was a coach at Andrews and Murphy.

"On behalf of Andrews Athletics we would like to send out our sincere condolences to the family of Coach Keith Payne," Andrew athletics posted on its Facebook page. "Coach Payne impacted so many lives not only in our community but throughout The Smoky Mountain Conference Footprint. He coached his athletes whether at Andrews, Murphy or Swain County in a way that would give each and every one of them an opportunity to be successful while helping anyone else that might request his help. Please lift up in your prayers all of those athletes he was coaching at this time as well as those who he has impacted throughout his lifetime."

"MHS was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Coach Keith Payne," Murphy High School wrote. "As a dedicated teacher and track coach, he made a lasting impact on so many lives. His passion for education and athletics inspired students to strive for excellence both on and off the track. Coach Payne's legacy will live on through the countless individuals he mentored and encouraged. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with each student-athlete and Coach Payne’s family during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the cherished memories each of you shared with him and in the knowledge that his influence will continue to resonate for years to come."

Smoky Mountain and Cherokee also extended condolences on Facebook.

Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times and Hendersonville Times-News. Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on X @zacharyahuber. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times and Times-News .

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Swain County cross country and indoor track coach Keith Payne dies