Mount Olive women’s track team sets multiple records

MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive women’s track and field team shattered one conference record, set three new school records and tied a pair of program records while competing at The Trojan Relays, hosted at Ray McDonald Sr. Sports Complex April 15.

In the 4×100 relay, the team of senior Jaylin Reeves,  freshman Channie Jefferson, senior Jaiden Moody and sophomore Jamesha Howell set a new conference record, an NCAA provisional mark and a school record. The relay time established was a blistering pace of 45.83 seconds to place second overall and eclipse the league record set by Southern Wesleyan back in 2019 (45.98). Mount Olive currently sits seventh nationally in the event.

In the 4×400 relay, the squad of sophomore Natalyah Wilson, sophomore Vinesha Briggs, Moody and Jefferson shattered the school record and fell just short of the NCAA mark after crossing the line in three minutes, 50.15 seconds to earn first place. The time set by this group ranks second in the Southeast Region this year.

Additionally, Jefferson broke another record in the 400-meter hurdles and hit the NCAA provisional standard with a time of 1:01.66 to take first overall in the field of 16 competitors. Her time in the event ranks second in the Southeast Region during the outdoor season. Sophomore Kiwanna Pemberton improved her league qualifying standard in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:05.90, which ranks sixth in UMO history. Senior Samantha Hamrick also enhanced her conference standard after posting a time of 1:07.47, the eighth-best all-time mark at UMO.

Freshman Trinity Frayer matched her school record in the pole vault after clearing 3.05 meters to finish third overall in the event. She continues to hold the second-best mark in the Conference Carolinas this season.

In the 400 meters, three Trojans improved their league qualifying marks while the school record was tied in the event. Moody matched her program record after crossing the line in 56.88 seconds to finish fourth overall. Briggs enhanced her conference championship mark after posting a time of 57.33 seconds, which was the third-fastest time at Mount Olive. Wilson also improved her league standard after crossing the line in 58.03 seconds.

Freshman Ciara Sulton established a conference qualifying time in the 800 meters and placed eighth with a mark of 2:28.50.

In the triple jump, freshman Keza Green enhanced her league mark with a distance of 10.90 meters.

Junior Tylyia Triggs produced an improvement in the javelin after posting a distance of 30.14 meters to place ninth overall.

Senior Mary Brigid Keck enhanced her conference qualifying mark in the discus following a toss of 42.59 meters to finish third in a field of 27 athletes. Sophomore Katlyn Parrish hit the Conference Carolinas qualifying mark in the event with a distance of 33.13 meters.

In the hammer throw, sophomore Adrienne Crawford improved her league qualifying mark and placed fourth overall with a distance of 48.50 meters. Additionally, she established a conference standard in the shot put after a toss of 11.23 meters. Parrish also enhanced her mark in the hammer throw after reaching a mark of 39.28 meters.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics