Greenville, SC – Conference Carolinas announced the 2022 Women's Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Poll on March 10 with the University of Mount Olive Trojans being picked first in the poll.
 
The University of Mount Olive Trojans took first in the preseason poll as they collected 97 points and seven first place finish votes.  The Trojans just beat out the Southern Wesleyan Warriors last season in the championship in the final two events to claim 158 points and claim the title.  Monique Whiteman of Mount went on to claim the Freshman of the Year title.
 
In their first year in Conference Carolinas, the UNC Pembroke Braves were picked second with 89 points and three first place finish votes.  The Southern Wesleyan Warriors were picked third in the preseason poll with 85 points and one first place finish vote.  The Warriors just missed out winning the championship last season as they collected 156 points.  Southern Wesleyan received the Coach of the Year, and both Track and Field Athlete of the Year's awards.
 
The North Greenville Crusaders were picked fourth in the preseason poll as they collected 66 points after they finished the conference championship in third place with 88 points.  They were followed by the Converse Valkyries with 65 points in the poll and the Emmanuel Lions with 54 points.
 
The Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll were wrapped up by the Lees-McRae Bobcats (43), Belmont Abbey Crusaders (32), Barton Bulldogs (27), King Tornado (24) and Erskine Flying Fleet (23).
 
Southern Wesleyan will return the 2021 Field Athlete of the Year in Kelsie Smith.  Smith claimed All-Conference honors in the Shot Put, Hammer Throw and Discus last season.  She is joined by the Warriors Indoor Field Athlete of the Year for the 2022 season in Mycherie Onwuzurukie who took first in both the triple and long jump during the winter season. 
 
The Warriors kicked off the outdoor season last weekend as they host the Susan Rouse Invite at Gilbert Track and Field in Central, SC.  They then compete in the Trojan Opener on March 18 and 19 in Anderson, SC.  Southern Wesleyan will host their second meet of the season on April 2 as they welcome teams to Central, SC for the Gotta Run Invite.  The Conference Carolinas Outdoor Championship will be held in Mount Olive, NC on April 29-30.