University of Mount Olive’s Kam Johnson competes in the long jump during the 2022 Conference Carolinas outdoor track and field championship meet last spring. Johnson set a personal record in the Trojans’ season-opening, indoor meet at Winston-Salem last weekend.
If the season-opening JDL Early Bird Invitational is any indication, Conference Carolinas indoor track and field coaches may be spot on with their preseason predictions.
They’ve picked the University of Mount Olive men and women to successfully defend their championships from a year ago. The two teams have combined to win 15 titles since 2014, including seven straight by the men.
“We’re excited to begin the season in the top spot,” said UMO head coach Earl Graves. “The level of competition in our league is very high, so we have a lot of work to do by the end of February. We’re looking forward to the journey and working toward our goals.”
Men
Eight coaches gave the No. 1 nod to the Trojans, who edged in-state rival UNCP, 94-93, in total poll points. UNCP received three first-place votes.
North Greenville (82 points) and Emmanuel (67) are third and fourth, respectively. Belmont Abbey and Southern Wesleyan share fifth with 58 points.
During the Early Bird Invitational contested last weekend at Winston-Salem State, the Trojans recorded four NCAA provisional marks, set two school records and had multiple athletes qualify for the season-ending conference championship meet.
Senior Josh Faison broke his own school record in the shot put with a toss of 16.63 meters (54.675 feet), which bested the JDL meet mark (15.71m) set by Max Adams of Wake Forest in 2016.
Senior Justen Burnette collected NCAA provisional times with first-place efforts in the 60-meter dash (6.85 seconds) and 200 run (21.94). Burnette is a two-time conference champion in the 200.
Faison and Burnette were named the Conference Carolinas field and track athlete-of-the-week, respectively.
Junior Kam Johnson matched the school record in the high jump with a leap of 2.05 meters (6-8.75 feet) and recorded a personal record in the long jump. He shares the top high jump spot with Franz Beyer and Angus Sinclair, who each reached the feat in 2015.
Sophomore Demonte Lavender and freshman Amari Pearson each set conference-qualifying marks in two events. Lavender accomplished the feat in the high jump (1.95m) and triple jump (13.48m). Pearson will compete in the high jump (1.85m) and long jump (6.69m).
Jason Hart, a freshman, qualified for the conference meet in the 200 dash. Sophomore Lynwood Smith-Forte surpassed the league’s qualifying mark in the weight throw.
Women
Like the men, the Trojan women edged UNCP for the top spot in the poll. They collected six first-place votes and edged the Braves, 94-91, in total points.
UNCP earned four first-place votes.
Southern Wesleyan picked up a first-place vote and amassed 83 points. Converse (75 points) and Belmont Abbey (54) completed the top five.
Senior Jaylin Reeves established a new school record and reached the NCAA standard qualifying time in the 200 dash.
Sophomore Jamesha Howell reached the league standard in the 60-meter dash. Senior Jaiden Moody and sophomore Vinesha Briggs each reached the league standard in the 400 run.
Freshman pole vaulter Trinity Frayer recorded the second-best height in program history (2.75m, 9-0.25 feet). Senior Mary Brigid Keck placed second in the shot put.
Also securing spots in the season-ending conference meet were freshman Ashley Lindsay (shot put), senior Mora Smith (long jump, triple jump), junior Rolanda Desir-Moreau (weight throw), sophomore Karla Hormazabal (triple jump) and sophomore Kiana Hatchett (triple jump).
UMO’s 4×4 relay of Moody, Briggs, sophomore Natalyah Wilson and freshman Channie Jefferson finished second overall in 4 minutes, 3.41 seconds.
