Greenville, SC – Conference Carolinas announced the 2024 Men's Outdoor Track & Field Preseason poll on March 14 with the University of Mount Olive Trojans being picked as the preseason favorite.

The Trojans of the University of Mount Olive were picked to win their tenth straight Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track and Field Championship after collecting 121 points and 11 first place finish votes.  Mount Olive claimed the title last spring after gaining 171.50 points in the 20 events that were scored.  The Trojans will be looking to the leadership of junior Riley Wilcox as well as the freshman talent of Sigursteinn Asgeirsson and Riley Wilson to help lead the team during the outdoor season.

The UNC Pembroke Braves were tabbed second in the preseason poll with 110 points.  The Braves finished last season in second place as the accumulated 165 points.  They claimed several All-Conference finishes including the 4x100 meter relay, 1500 meters, 110m hurdles, 200 meters, 5000 meters, 4x400 meter relay, discus, triple jump, and shot put last season.

They were followed in the poll by the Belmont Abbey Crusaders with 95 points and the final first place finish vote.  The Crusaders of Belmont, NC wrapped up last year's Conference Carolinas Championship in third after picking up 95 points.

Wrapping up the field are the North Greenville Crusaders (91), Southern Wesleyan Warriors (76), Erskine Flying Fleet (59), Lees-McRae Bobcats (56), Converse Valkyries (52), Barton Bulldogs (48), Emmanuel Lions (41), King Tornado (24) and Francis Marion Patriots (19).

The Warriors will be looking to build on their strong Cross Country and Indoor Track and Field seasons.  They finished last outdoor season in fifth place with 55 points.  Southern Wesleyan pushed on as they took fifth this past indoor season as well with All-Conference finishes by Drew Jones, Ethan Marchman, Grady Clark, Jaden Warner and Ronan O'Neill.  O'Neill looks to take the distance crowns in both the 10,000 meters and 5000 meters after receiving All-Conference honors in both events during the 2023 Outdoor Track & Field season.

Southern Wesleyan kicked off the outdoor season on March 2 as they host the Susan Rouse Invitational.  They will host their next meet on March 29 in the Gotta Run Invite.  The Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track and Field Championship will be held on April 26-27.