GREENVILLE, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive men's outdoor track and field team enters the 2026 season as the preseason favorite after topping the Conference Carolinas poll released Thursday.

The Trojans earned 184 points and 13 first-place votes. Converse followed with 182 points and one first-place vote, while Belmont Abbey placed third with 163 points. UNC Pembroke (147) and Southern Wesleyan (144) rounded out the top five.

Mount Olive's players to watch include Sigursteinn Asgeirsson, Zion Richardson-Keys, and Leo Powell.

Asgeirsson finished the indoor season with six first place marks in the seven meets attended, and two second place marks. He was named Conference Carolinas Athlete of the week twice in the 2025-26 season. Richardson-Keys placed first four times in the indoor season with multiple second and third place marks as a Junior. Powell is a Freshman distance runner from Ireland who will be making his debut this spring after taking third in the indoor Conference Championships.

The Trojans opened the 2026 season on March 6 at the UNC Wilmington Seahawk Invite in Wilmington, N.C.