EMPORIA, Kan. (May 23) – The 4x100 relay team established a new conference and school record on Thursday, as the University of Mount Olive women's track & field program competed in three events at the NCAA National Championships, hosted by Emporia State.

The 4x100 relay team of sophomore Channie Jefferson, sophomore Chianel Asoburuenwu, freshman Heavan Roberts, and junior Lasira Nicholson produced a record-breaking performance at the national meet. The squad set a new conference and school record with a time of 45.46 seconds to register an 11th-place finish in the prelims after entering the event with the 16th-best time in Division II. The 4x100 relay team closed out the final month by qualifying for nationals on the final week of the regular season and breaking the conference record twice.

Junior Adrienne Crawford made her first appearance on the national stage and placed 16th overall in the hammer throw. Competing in the first flight, she delivered a toss of 51.34 meters on her second attempt, which was her best mark of the day. Crawford completes a stellar campaign with the Trojans after earning Field Athlete of the Year at the Conference Carolinas Outdoor Championships. 

In the 400-meter hurdles prelims, Jefferson competed in the opening heat of the event and posted a time of 1:00.42, which would have positioned her 16th in the field. Jefferson was ultimately disqualified for hooking the hurdle. It marked her second appearance at the national meet after qualifying for the event with an impressive time of 59.26 seconds at the league championships.

Mount Olive returns to the National Championships on Saturday, May 25, when senior Danielle Trimbur competes in the javelin at 2:30 p.m.