NEW ORLEANS, La. (March 29) – Following a strong start to the outdoor campaign, the Trojans debuted at No. 16 in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field rankings, which was released by the organization earlier this week.

The Trojans are the only Southeast Region program featured in the poll with seven marks in the top 15 nationally. The ranking index for the USTFCCCA is determined based on placement in individual events on a national scale and is a comprehensive look at the current season.

Junior Adrienne Crawford ranks among the top 10 in NCAA Division II in the hammer throw and discus following two career-best marks at the Adidas Trojan Challenge last week. In the hammer, she reached a distance of 53.66 meters to rank fourth in the country while boasting the eighth-best mark in the discus with a toss of 44.96 meters.

The 4x100-meter relay team of sophomore Channie Jefferson, sophomore Chianel Asoburuenwu, freshman Heavan Roberts, and junior Lasira Nicholson reached the NCAA standard with a time of 46.35 seconds, which sits ninth in NCAA Division II following the first week of rankings by the USTFCCCA.

Asoburuenwu ranks 10th in the country in the 100 meters after crossing the line with a time of 11.73 seconds while competing at her home meet. Sophomore Kenisha Barnes also holds a top 10 mark in the hammer throw with a distance of 51.86 meters established in the opening meet of the year at UNCW. Additionally, freshman Elin Rydqvist ranks 15th nationally in the hammer throw with a mark of 50.05 meters.

Mount Olive returns to action this weekend on March 29-30 at the Hornet Open hosted by Lynchburg in Virginia.