Burnette, Faison sweep men’s track awards

MOUNT OLIVE – For a second consecutive week, the University of Mount Olive men’s track & field program has swept the outdoor weekly honors from the Conference Carolinas, as senior Justen Burnette was named the Track Athlete of the Week and senior Joshua Faison was chosen as the Field Athlete of the Week.

A 6-foot-2 senior sprinter, Burnette set a pair of NCAA provisional marks while competing in the 100 and 200 meters at the Adidas Trojan Challenge. He improved his national standard in the 100 meters after crossing the line in 10.46 seconds in the preliminaries. His time in the 100m ranks seventh in NCAA Division II and leads Conference Carolinas. For the first time this season, the Winston-Salem native achieved an NCAA standard in the 200m with a first-place finish in the event following a time of 20.98 seconds. His time in the event ranks second in NCAA Division II this year.

A native of Clayton, Faison eclipsed his previous conference and school record in the discus with a toss of 54.60 meters to take first place in the event. He improved his NCAA standard set earlier this year and ranks second in NCAA Division II in the discus. Additionally, Faison claimed first overall in the shot put with a distance of 16.56 meters, while placing sixth in the hammer throw with a personal best of 47.79 meters.

Faison has collected the weekly conference accolade a combined five times between the indoor and outdoor season, while Burnette has earned the honor four times.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics