The Eagles fly high at VMI Winter Relays as Moss sets program record
LEXINGTON, Va. – It has been a tough indoor season to settle into, with long breaks and schedule adjustments, but Carson-Newman has weathered the storm. At the VMI Winter Relays, normalcy returned, and the Eagles set personal records and season bests throughout the weekend.
LEXINGTON, Va. – It has been a tough indoor season to settle into, with long breaks and schedule adjustments, but Carson-Newman has weathered the storm. At the VMI Winter Relays, normalcy returned, and the Eagles set personal records and season bests throughout the weekend.
"Good weekend overall. A lot of people stepped up and got season's best or personal bests," head coach Kieran Showler-Davis said. "Happy for the guys and girls with impressive performances despite the disruptions to practice and competition due to the weather the past few weeks."
One notable performance belongs to freshman Meiah Moss, who cemented herself in the Carson-Newman history books with her outing in the pentathlon. Her 3241 points are a new program record, eclipsing Melissa Siler's 3122 points last season. She finished sixth overall in the event.
On the men's side in the heptathlon, Alden Wetzel separated himself to take home first place. The sophomore finished fourth or better in all seven events, recording a PR in the shot put (1st, 12.91m), long jump (4th, 6.46m), 60m hurdles (1st, 8.40), 60m (2nd, 7.15) and the 1000m (1st, 2:51.08). He also took first in the high jump, 1.85m, and second in the pole vault, 3.65m. His 5010 points are the 12th-best mark in Division II this season.
Another strong performer was Amine Kasmi, who lit up the track on Friday and Saturday. He finished second in the 60m prelims, 6.85 seconds, and took second in the final at 6.80 seconds, a new PR. While in the 200m, he set the facility record at the Corps Physical Training Facility with 21.09 seconds to take first place, which is also the fifth-fastest time in Division II this year.
In the field on Friday, Brooke Taylor continued her strong senior season, taking first place in the long jump, 5.65m. On Saturday, she finished third in the triple jump at 11.34m.
In the men's triple jump, Carlos Kouassi set his season-best with a 14.61m jump and placed third. Blayne Jackson also showed out in the high jump, clearing 1.95m to win the event. Wrapping up the field events was Cadence Dolgin in the pole vault. The freshman continues to impress, taking second place overall.
Saturday's track events saw multiple Andrew Thompson (4:31.59) and Jerome Behrmann (4:39.67) set PRs in the mile, taking 9th and 14th, respectively.
After a record-breaking Liberty Open, Rylan Jordan just missed out on a podium finish in the 400m, taking fourth. In the women's 400m, Lovelyne Larrame notched provisional qualification with a time of 56.23 seconds. Trishanie Warner rounded out the top five in the 400m at 57.18 seconds.
Larrame also set her PR in the 60m dash at 7.70 seconds and finished in fifth.
In the women's 3000m, Keirieonna Wilson (6th, 10:38.31), Peyton Couch (7th, 10:41.77) and Maggie Hope (11th, 11:13.82) all recorded their personal records in the event.
Carson-Newman returns to the track next week with a trio of events listed on the schedule, the Vanderbilt Indoor Music City Challenge, the Tryon Mid-Winter Invitational & Multi Events, along with the Liberty Darius Dixon.
Stay connected with Carson-Newman track & field by following @CN_Eagles on X and Instagram, or by liking Carson-Newman Athletics on Facebook. Full coverage and updates are available at cneagles.com.
