WINSTON-SALEM (Feb. 23) – Freshman Caleb Bass and sophomore Matthew Heywood earn all-conference status in the weight throw, as the University of Mount Olive men's track & field program is tied for second following the opening day of the Conference Carolinas Championship on Sunday.

The Trojans totaled 32 points in the team standings at the league championships with five events finished on Day 1. UMO scored in three events in the opening session with points awarded in the weight throw, long jump, and DMR. UNC Pembroke sits first overall with 53 points while Converse and Mount Olive are tied for second place.

In the weight throw, Mount Olive featured five individuals among the top-eight scoring positions to capture 23 of a possible 39 points in the event. Bass delivered a personal best mark of 17.28 meters on his final attempt to finish as the runner-up and secure all-conference honors. Heywood also achieved all-league status after placing third in the weight throw with a toss of 16.84 meters, a personal best mark.

Additionally, freshman Amari Noble claimed fifth place with a season-best distance of 16.03 meters. Junior Tyrese Lavender secured sixth overall with a personal best toss of 15.80 meters, while senior Micah Harrison finished seventh with a mark of 15.64 meters.

The distance medley relay (DMR) of freshman Atrem Meltsaiev, freshman Jakaii Dixon, freshman Titus Tanui, and senior Aman Tsegay placed sixth overall to capture three points in the team standings after crossing the line in 10:43.74.

In the long jump, junior Andrew Pender hit a career-best leap of 6.81 meters to place fourth overall in a field of 23 competitors. Sophomore Ryan Wilson-McCoy captured an eighth-place finish to secure a point for UMO following a distance of 6.58 meters.

In the 400 meters, the Trojans qualified three individuals for the finals scheduled on Monday at 12:20 p.m. Graduate student Brian Saul finished third overall with a season-best time of 50.13 seconds. Freshman Travelius Leach recorded a fourth-place finish with a time of 50.52 seconds while fellow freshman Jon Crymes, Jr. posted a personal best and placed seventh following a mark of 50.68 seconds.

Mount Olive returns to action at the Conference Carolinas Championships on Monday, Feb. 24, with events starting at 10 a.m.
 
FRIDAY SCORING RESULTS
Weight Throw
2. Caleb Bass – 17.28 meters (8 points)
3. Matthew Heywood – 16.84 meters (6 points)
5. Amari Noble – 16.03 meters (4 points)
6. Tyrese Lavender – 15.80 meters (3 points)
7. Micah Harrison – 15.64 meters (2 points)
 
Long Jump
4. Andrew Pender – 6.81 meters (5 points)
8. Ryan Wilson-McCoy – 6.58 meters (1 point)
 
DMR
6. Atrem Meltsaiev, Jakaii Dixon, Titus Tanui, Aman Tsegay – 10:43.74 (3 points)