UNCP track and field teams improving every meet

By Melina Savage
Staff Writer

Marquita Walters of UNCP brought home a second place finish in the javelin throw and fourth place showing in the shot put from the Murray Neely Invitational on April 8 and 9.

Walters, who has set new school records this season in the shot put and discus events, was followed by teammate Codi Kohlemeir, who was third in the javelin.

Prior to the Murray Neely Invitational, the UNCP men’s and women’s track and field teams traveled to Atlanta, Ga. on April 1 and 2 to compete in the Emory University Invitational.

The women’s team had a solid finish, finishing in eighth place out of 19 teams.

Walters took three Top-10 finishes. Throwing 12.87 meters in the shot put - a new school record - Waters took the first place spot. She also grabbed second and fourth place finishes in the discus and hammer throw recording 38.84 and 33.94.

Walters also broke the school’s discus record at the Coastal Carolina Invitational on March 11 and 12.

Adrianna Yanez took seventh in the 1,500-meter dash, clocking in a time of over 5 minutes, 11 seconds. Yanez broke UNCP’s school record in the 800, with a time of over 2 minutes, 25 seconds at the Coastal Carolina Invitational.

The men’s team had six Top-10 finishers at the Emory University Invitational.

Govan Garner ran the 400 in just over 52 seconds to garner fourth.

Ransom Walters also attained a fourth place finish in the javelin throw, throwing it 51.08.

Cedarville University ’s men’s and women’s teams both grabbed first at the Emory University Invitational.

UNCW Cape Fear Classic

The UNCP men’s and women’s track and field teams took on heavy competition at the UNCW Cape Fear Classic on March 25 and 26.

The Lady Braves finished in eighth place among some NCAA Division I competitors. The women had Top-10 finishes in five events.

As for the men’s team, the Braves were sixth overall after finishing in the Top-10 category in eight events.

Senior Jeremy Holman came through strong, taking first place in the 200 with a time of just above 22 seconds, and took second place in the 100 with a time of barely over 11 seconds.

UNCW’s men and women finished in first place.

“The men’s and women’s track and field teams have improved their performances each week with several individuals obtaining personal best in their respective events,” UNCP head coach Larry Rodgers said.

Carolinas Championship

The Braves will next compete at the Irwin Belk Athletic Complex on April 16 in the Carolinas Championship. Starting time is at 11 a.m.

“I feel that the team is almost ready for our Carolinas Championship,” Rodgers said. “However, we still need to focus more on an overall team effort and not just individual performances. I feel like both teams have a good chance of winning the meet, but it will be a challenge because there will be a few events in which we will not have any entries. Thus, we will be counting on quality performances from everyone.”