Trojan men compete at VMI

LEXINGTON, Va. – The University of Mount Olive men’s track and field team produced several top-three finishes at the VMI Winter Classic on Jan. 27 and 28.

Senior Justen Burnette finished third overall in the 200 meters after crossing the line in 21.75 seconds while placing fourth in the 60-meter dash with a time of 6.88. A native of Winston-Salem, he still holds the fastest times in both events in the Conference Carolinas during the indoor season.

Junior Kamden Johnson registered a third-place finish in the high jump after clearing six feet, six inches. He continues to boast the top mark in the league this year.

In the shot put, junior Joshua Faison placed second overall with a distance of 54 feet, four inches while maintaining the top spot in the conference in the event set earlier this season. Sophomore Nicholas Cloud finished fourth and matched his season-best mark of 50 feet, three inches.

Sophomore Riley Willcox improved his league mark in the 800 meters after posting a time of 1:58, to rank fifth in the conference in the event.

In the 4×400-meter relay, the Trojans delivered the third-best time in the Conference Carolinas with a time of 3:26.8, with the team of junior Joshua Morell, Willcox, freshman Jason Hart and junior Jontavus Walker.

In the weight throw, sophomore Alex Smith-Fort’e placed third in the event with a toss of 55 feet, eight inches. Teammate Israel Long finished fifth in the weight throw with a distance of 51 feet, nine inches, while senior Dorian Tolbert improved his league standard after setting a mark of 51 feet, seven inches. Tyrese Lavender met the conference championship distance for the first time this year following a toss of 44 feet, one inch.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics