UMO wins seventh consecutive men’s track and field championship
WINSTON SALEM, N.C. (Feb. 20) – For the seventh straight time, the University of Mount Olive men’s track and field team has captured the Conference Carolinas Indoor Championship following the completion of the two-day event held at the JDL Fast Track. The team clinched the title Feb. 20.
Junior Kamden Johnson was named the Field Athlete of the Year by the conference after claiming the league title in the high jump while finishing runner-up in the long jump. Head coach Earl Graves was named Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive indoor season in a stellar championship event that came down to the final event of the day.
The Trojans totaled 146 points to secure the league championship. Mount Olive scored points in 12 of a possible 16 events over the two-day competition, including winning six individual event titles. UNC-Pembroke finished just seven points behind with 139 points, while North Greenville placed third with 89 points.
Senior Justen Burnette earned a pair of conference titles on the final day of the championships, highlighted by a three-peat in the 200 meters. On Feb. 19, he became the undisputed fastest man in the league after crossing the line in 6.87 seconds in the 60-meter dash to claim the victory. In the 200 meters, Burnette dominated the race by posting a time of 21.77 seconds to win by a significant margin. He has now tallied eight league titles in his time at UMO.
In the shot put, senior Joshua Faison set a meet record and captured the league crown after a toss of 52 feet, eight inches on his fourth attempt. He eclipsed the previous meet record at the conference championships, which was set in 2020. Following his performance this week, Faison holds seven individual titles in his decorated career with Mount Olive.
Sophomore Jaleal Hamlett was crowned the league champion in the triple jump after a dominant performance in the event. On his third attempt, he reached a distance of 47 feet, two inches to beat the field by more than two feet and claim his first indoor individual title.
— From University of Mount Olive Athletics
