GREENVILLE, S.C. (July 10) – University of Mount Olive women's track & field jumper Janara Bryant was named the 2024-25 Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year on Wednesday afternoon following a pair of First-Team All-American honors in her freshman season.

Bryant becomes the third recipient from Mount Olive to earn the conference award and the first honoree for the Trojans since the 2018-19 season.

"I'm truly humbled and honored to receive the Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year award. All glory to God for blessing me with the strength, perseverance, and opportunities throughout this journey," expressed Bryant. "I'm so thankful for my teammates, coaches, family, and everyone who has supported me along the way."

During the outdoor season, Bryant rewrote the Conference Carolinas and Mount Olive record book multiple times in the triple jump before making her first appearance at the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships. On the national stage, she finished as the national runner-up in the triple jump following a school record mark of 13.27 meters to place second overall. Bryant made program history by becoming just the second-ever UMO Women's Track & Field athlete to post a second-place finish at the NCAA Division II Championship. Additionally, she was named the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Association (USTFCCCA) Southeast Region Field Athlete of the Year. At the Conference Carolinas Championship, Bryant was selected the Outdoor Women's Freshman of the Year after tallying 24 points toward the team standings for the Trojans. She earned the Conference Carolinas crown in the triple jump and long jump while placing fifth in the high jump.

"This is the perfect way to cap off the greatest season I have ever seen a freshman put together. As the season went on she gained confidence and never wavered during adversity," said Director of Track & Field/Head Coach Earl Graves. "Janara embodies everything that it means to be a Trojan and a Conference Carolinas athlete."

In the indoor campaign, Bryant delivered one of the best all-around performances in recent history at the Conference Carolinas Championship after totaling 26 points over three events of competition. She was voted the Conference Carolinas Field Athlete of the Year after reaching the podium three times, including a pair of Conference Carolinas Championship. She set a new meet record in the triple jump following a distance of 12.26 meters to claim the conference crown. At nationals, Bryant captured NCAA First-Team All-American honors after placing sixth overall with a distance of 12.43 meters.

The Athlete of the Year Award (one male and one female each year) is the most outstanding student-athlete for the year in the league. Per Conference Carolinas Directors of Athletics vote, nominations will be accepted from member institutions to only include conference-sponsored sports and all nomination information, statistics and accomplishments are solely based on athletically-related criteria.

Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year Winners
2024-25 – Janara Bryant, Mount Olive
2023-24 – Lauryn Taylor, Francis Marion
2022-23 – Mycherie Onwuzuruike, Southern Wesleyan
2021-22 – Shanika Peterkin, Barton
2020-21 – Jharna Alston, Emmanuel
2019-20 – Shanika Peterkin, Barton
2018-19 – Leah Hanle, Mount Olive
2017-18 – Shannon Sisk, Limestone
2016-17 – Jasmine Kearse, Limestone
2015-16 – Jasmine Kearse, Limestone
2014-15 – Alicia Brookins, Limestone
2013-14 – Nyeshea Willie, Barton
2012-13 – Kay Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
2011-12 – Ashley Alderin-Fleagle, Limestone
2010-11 – Racquel Prager, Limestone
2009-10 – Tanya Zeferjahn, Queens
2008-09 – Lauryn Wise, Limestone
2007-08 – Samantha Mitchell, Mount Olive
2006-07 – Deidra Langston, Anderson
2005-06 – Keauna Vinson, Barton
2004-05 – LaShonda Chiles, Anderson
2003-04 – Tina Gonsalves, St. Andrews
2002-03 – Jennifer Potts, Longwood
2001-02 – Shemkia Reid, Barton
2000-01 – Jen Calderwood, Lees-McRae
1999-00 – Angela Placona, Belmont Abbey
1998-99 – Missy Paterson, Coker
1997-98 – Missy Paterson, Coker
1996-97 – Missy Paterson, Coker
1995-96 – Staci Albright, Coker