BRISTOL, TN – The UVA Wise men's and women's track and field teams delivered a dominant performance at the two-day King University Invitational, highlighted by a team title on the women's side and a runner-up-level showing from the men. The Cavalier women captured the team championship with 200 points (1st of 8 teams), while the men placed third out of seven teams with 125.5 points, fueled by event wins, school records, and extensive top-five finishes.
WOMEN'S HIGHLIGHTS
The Cavalier women controlled the meet across multiple event groups, combining event victories with a surge of school records.
Leading the way on the track,
Haley Faulkner won the 400 meters (59.49) while breaking her own school record.
The sprint group added another victory in the 4x100-meter relay, where
Madison Sutherland,
Destiny Ansley-Cureton,
Haley Faulkner, and
Olivia McClintock combined to run a school-record 48.60.
In the jumps, Jocelyn Aldrich captured the triple jump title (10.90m), matching a school record, while
Braelynn Strouth won the high jump (1.60m), also marking a program record. Strouth added a second-place finish in the triple jump and a third-place finish in the long jump to contribute significant points.
The vault continued to be a strength, as
Jordyn Taylor won the pole vault (3.50m) with a school record clearance, while
Fairyn Meares added a second-place finish.
In the throws,
Lexi Carter delivered a dominant double victory, winning both the hammer throw (43.63m) and shot put (13.11m), with the hammer mark standing as a school record.
Nia Rogers and
Hadaya Abshire added scoring depth in the shot put and discus.
On the track, the Cavaliers added key points through depth performances, including
Alexsis Porter (2nd, 5000m) and Jocelyn Aldrich (3rd, 100m hurdles; 4th, 400m hurdles – school record).
Distance standout
Lydia Slemp continued her record-breaking season, lowering the 800-meter school record (2:25.37).
MEN'S HIGHLIGHTS
The Cavalier men matched the women's momentum with a balanced performance across sprints, distance, jumps, and throws, highlighted by multiple event wins and school records.
Freshman David Williams led the field events with a victory in the pole vault (4.30m), setting a school record and continuing his strong freshman campaign.
In the sprints,
Peyton Honeycutt delivered a pair of top finishes, placing second in the 200 meters (22.09) and third in the 100 meters (10.79), while contributing to a fourth-place finish in the 4x100-meter relay.
The distance group was anchored by
Dylan Colander, who placed fourth in the steeplechase (10:27.10) while setting a school record in the event.
The hurdles group saw continued progress, as
Lukus Ball set a school record in the 400-meter hurdles (1:06.15) with a fifth-place finish.
In the throws, the Cavaliers produced one of their strongest collective efforts.
Landon Steele (2nd, hammer; 3rd, discus) and
Ronald Gray (2nd, discus) led the group, while
Bobby Cline added a third-place finish in the hammer and scored in the javelin.
Abel Dingus added a school record in the javelin (48.16m) with a third-place finish, while
Avone Noel set a school record in the decathlon (4501 points).
In the jumps,
Henry McFarlin added a second-place finish in the triple jump, continuing his consistent scoring presence.
UP NEXT
The Cavaliers will look to carry that momentum forward as they travel to Emory and Henry on Saturday, April 4 for the Blue and Gold Invitational. The meet will serve as a preview of the SAC Outdoor Championships competition venue.
