Mount Olive competes at USC Open

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In its final preparation ahead of the Conference Carolinas Championship, the University of Mount Olive track and field program improved numerous league qualifying marks and set multiple top-10 school marks at the USC Open hosted by South Carolina on April 22.

Sophomore Natalyah Wilson improved her conference standard in the 400 meters after crossing the line in 57.6 seconds. Her time ranks sixth in the Conference Carolinas ahead of the championship event. Wilson also placed second overall in the high jump after clearing 1.58 meters to set a new personal record, which sits fourth in school history.

Freshman Ashley Lindsey enhanced her league qualifying mark in the shot put after placing sixth overall with a toss of 12.34 meters, which ranks eighth all-time at UMO. She now holds the second-best distance in the conference with the Trojans having six athletes qualified in the event.

Senior Mary Brigid Keck finished among the top 10 and improved her conference mark in the discus with a distance of 42.93 meters, which ranks first in the Conference Carolinas this outdoor season. Keck holds the top marks in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw entering the conference event. Freshman Kenisha Barnes enhanced her distance in the hammer throw with a toss of 46.8 meters, the seventh-best mark in program history. Her distance ranks sixth in the league this season.

Junior QuVontre Harper improved his league qualifying mark in the 100 meters after crossing the line in 10.56 seconds, the third-best time in school history. He now also ranks third in the Conference Carolinas in the event ahead of the league meet.

Sophomore Tyrese Lavender enhanced his distance in the discus following a toss of 43.04 meters, which ranks seventh all-time at Mount Olive.

Fellow sophomore Jaleal Hamlett finished sixth overall in the long jump while in South Carolina and now ranks fourth in the Conference Carolinas with a distance of 6.76 meters.

Sophomore Riley Willcox improved his league qualifying mark in the 800 meters with a time of 1 minute, 57.10 seconds, which sits eighth on the league performance list this outdoor season.

— From University of Mount Olive Athletics