UMO claims four victories at Finn Pincus Invite

SALEM, Va. – The Trojans featured four event winners and several new league qualifiers Jan. 21 while competing at the Finn Pincus Invitational hosted by Roanoke College.

In the 400 meters, senior Jaiden Moody claimed first place overall with a season-best time of 59.69 seconds, which ranks second in the Conference Carolinas this season. Sophomore Vinesha Briggs also improved her conference mark and moved to seventh all-time at UMO after crossing the line at 1:00.17. Freshman Channie Jefferson posted a league standard in the event for the first time this year with a time of 1:00.62, which ranks 10th all-time at Mount Olive.

Senior Jaylin Reeves produced a first-place finish in the 200 meters on Saturday with a mark of 25.66. She still holds the fastest time in the event from a time set earlier this season. Reeves also placed third in the 60-meter dash finals after crossing the line in 7.76.

In the weight throw, senior Mary Brigid Keck delivered the event win with a distance of 52 feet, two inches on her first attempt. Junior Rolanda Desire-Moreau placed fifth in the weight throw and hit the league mark with a personal record of 46 feet, five inches, which sits eighth all-time at UMO. Freshman Cynthia Thomas also reached the conference qualifying distance with a toss of 44 feet.

Jefferson hit the league standard in the long jump behind a second-place finish with a distance of 17 feet, seven inches, which ranks sixth all-time at Mount Olive. Sophomore Jamesha Howell improved her qualifying mark and moved to eighth in UMO history in the event with a distance 16 feet, nine inches.

In the 4×400-meter relay, the Trojans secured first place with a time of 4:01.4 with the team of Moody, Briggs, Reeves and Jefferson.

Sophomore Celine Fleurilus reached the conference qualifying standard in the 800 meters after crossing the line in 2:30.86.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics