Greenville, SC – Conference Carolinas announced the 2024 Women's Outdoor Track and Field Preseason Poll on March 14 with the University of Mount Olive Trojans being picked as the favorite.
The University of Mount Olive Trojans just beat out the Converse Valkyries in the preseason poll as they were picked as the favorite with 115 points and five first place finish votes. Mount Olive claimed the championship title last outdoor season. They will return two All-Conference finishing athletes in Adrienne Crawford and Celine Fleurilus.
They were closely followed by the reigning 2024 Conference Carolinas Women's Indoor Track and Field champion Converse Valkyries who totaled 112 points and six first place finish votes. The Valkyries look to build upon their stellar Indoor Track and Field season with the help of Indoor Track Athlete of the Year Lauren Beatty. Last outdoor track season, Converse finished second place after collecting 127 points in the 20 events that were scored.
Coming in third in the preseason poll, the UNC Pembroke Braves picked up the remaining first place finish vote and 99 points. The Braves took fifth last year with 77.50 points. They were followed by the North Greenville Crusaders with 91 points. Last season, the Crusaders of Tigerville, SC finished in fourth place right behind the Southern Wesleyan Warriors.
Wrapping up the preseason poll are the Belmont Abbey Crusaders (80), Southern Wesleyan Warriors (66), Lees-McRae Bobcats (63), Barton Bulldogs (40), Emmanuel Lions (37), Erskine Flying Fleet (37), King Tornado (32) and Francis Marion Patriots (20).
The Warriors finished last season in third after accumulating 89 points. They picked up All-Conference finishes in the 4x100 meter relay, 400 meters, 100 meters, and 4x400 meter relay. Abbey Frock, who claimed the 3000 meter steeplechase All-Conference Third Team slot back in 2021, will look to build upon her successful Cross Country and Indoor Track & Field times. Also coming back to the track for the Warriors are Merritt Smith (distance/mid-distance) and Kayla Lema (sprints/hurdles). Ava LaBrant (pole vault) and Evelyn Gordon (800 meters) each gained All-Conference recognition at the conclusion of the Indoor Track & Field season and will be itching to hit their marks once again in outdoor.
Southern Wesleyan kicked off the outdoor campaign on March 2 as they hosted the Susan Rouse Invitational. Abbey Frock started strong in the first outdoor meet as she broke the first school record of the young season. They will host their second outdoor meet of the season on March 29 in the form of the Gotta Run Invite. The Conference Carolinas Outdoor Track & Field Championship will be held on April 26-27 in Myrtle Beach, SC.
