The men’s and women’s Track & Field teams travelled down to Columbia, SC to the University of South Carolina to compete in the Carolina Challenge on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
During the meet, senior Harper Henson broke Winthrop’s school record in the mile. Henson’s time was 4:59:56. The previous record had been set in 2002 by Stephanie Vangsnes, with a time of 5:01.03. Henson’s record in the mile run allowed her to finish in fifth place and she currently has the second fastest mile time in the Big South this season. Henson was also named the Big South Women’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week.
Freshmen Ambar Nunez-Gomez and Libby Roush placed third and eighth respectively in the women’s weight throw. Junior Alexis Jeffery finished the triple jump in fifth place [mark of 11.72m], placing Jeffery in second on Winthrop’s all-time list.
Sophomore Everett Dinkins placed fifth in the triple jump. Seniors Evan Hailes and Colby Thorn both completed the meet at the top of their events. Hailes broke the indoor track and field record for the triple jump by landing a mark of 14.58, surpassing the previous record of 14.54 that was set by Keary Simms in 2011. Hailes was the men’s top performer, landing in fourth overall at the Carolina Challenge.
Judging by the results and new records that the Eagles had at this past meet alone, it is clear that Winthrop’s track and field program is being quite successful.
“I think the Winthrop track and field program as a whole is good,” Jeremy Falwell, a junior on the men’s team, said. “I mean there are always negatives but I don’t like to focus on them too much. I really enjoy the team this year and I think that we are all fairly close. I think that our program does well for the resources that we have and we really emphasize hard work which is one thing that is very admirable about the program. I love my team and being able to represent Winthrop when I run.”
Even with all of the achievements during the meet at USC, some Eagles like Falwell still have some goals they’d like to get checked off their list.
“A goal I have for this season is to just have fun with it and I would like to be on the podium at conference again,” Falwell said. “I know what I am capable of and I think that once I put it together on the track I’ll be satisfied, but I’m also not trying to put too much pressure on myself along the way.”
The Eagles certainly had a lot of success at the Carolina Challenge, as well as a lot of fun.
“This conference meet is my favorite because it’s where everyone is supposedly at their best,” Falwell said. “The feeling of the meet is unlike any other and it’s what we have all been training for so it’s always fun to go out there and show what you’ve been working towards.”
The men’s and women’s track and field teams will travel next to Lexington, Virginia to compete in the VMI Indoor Classic on Feb. 14-15.
Be sure to stay updated with Winthrop’s track and field teams’ meets and records by following them on Twitter (@WinthropTrackXC) and Instagram (@WinthropTrack).
Photo provided by Winthrop Athletics
