Stephanie Taylor-Pollock knows she'll be starting from the bottom again in the fall, much like when she was a seventh grader running track at Beaufort High School for the first time.

And on top of that, the recent Beaufort High graduate will be adjusting to life as a college student.

But Taylor-Pollock, who with Eagles teammate Veneshia Holmes signed to run track at Coastal Carolina, is secure in her decision. She liked the support system the Chanticleers have in place for academics. And she hopes to contribute any way she can to the two-time defending Big South Conference champions.

"I know I won't start at the top, like how I was in high school," Taylor-Pollock said. "But I'm willing to get better and learn and just help them out."

Taylor-Pollock and Holmes plan to room together. Both also considered College of Charleston. Taylor-Pollock looked at Charleston Southern and Holmes considered South Carolina.

But Holmes liked Coastal's peaceful atmosphere. Taylor-Pollock said she liked everything about the school and track program and that nearby Myrtle Beach offered a lot to do.

Holmes said Chanticleers coaches originally recruited her to jump, but that she might also run relays.

"I'm going to start working out soon, getting back in shape," Holmes said. "I hope to make a name for myself."

Chanticleers coach Berry Shumpert watched a Beaufort High practice at the beginning of the season and stayed in touch after that, Taylor-Pollock said. She plans to run the same events she ran in high school -- the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4x100-meter relay and 4x400-meter relay.

"I can pretty much run anything," Taylor-Pollock said. "He said that he'll let me focus on whichever event that I pick."

Stephanie Taylor-Pollock

High school: Beaufort High

Sport: Track

High school coach: Herb Glaze

College: Coastal Carolina

Probable major: Chemistry

About School: The Chanticleers won the Big South Conference Championships for the outdoor season and finished second in the conference during the indoor season.

Why School? "I like the campus, the coaches, my teammates and where I will live," Taylor-Pollock said. "It felt like I could be there for four years."

Other schools considered: Charleston Southern, College of Charleston

Other high school sports played: Basketball

Notable finishes: Eighth in the 100-meter dash at the 2012 Class 4-A meet, part of third place 4x100-meter relay, fifth place 4x400-meter relay

Scholarship: Athletic

Veneshia Holmes

High school: Beaufort High

Sport: Track

High school coach: Herb Glaze

College: Coastal Carolina

About School: The Chanticleers won the Big South Conference Championships for the outdoor season and finished second in the conference during the indoor season.

Why School? "It seemed like a peaceful environment," Holmes said.

Other schools considered: South Carolina, College of Charleston

Other high school sports played: Basketball

Notable finishes: At Class 4-A meet, was part of third place 4x100-meter relay and fifth place 4x400-meter relay.

Scholarship: Athletic