WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. | The Young Harris College men's and women's track & field teams continued their indoor season on Saturday (Jan. 17), competing at the Mondo College Invitational at the JDL Fast Track. Coming off the holiday break, the Mountain Lions delivered several encouraging performances across sprints, distance, field events, and relays as they continue building toward the Conference Carolinas Indoor Championships. 

Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Matt Logan reflected on the meet and the progress shown across the roster:

"Competing coming off the break is never easy, but it gives us a chance to see where we are. I'm proud of Nat and Emma for getting back healthy. Potter looked great and was able to take a heat win. Brayden had a good vault series and sits at number 2 in the conference. I thought Steven competed well in the 800. We had lots of personal bests and I'm just glad we can rip the band-aid off coming out of break and look forward to improving before the conference meet in 5 weeks." 

INSIDE THE MEN'S PERFORMANCE:

• Freshman Evan Johnson continued a strong start to his indoor campaign, clocking a 9.20 in the 60m hurdles during prelims and adding a solid mark of 6.04m in the long jump. Johnson also helped anchor the men's 4x400m relay. 

• Sophomore Ryland Hunley posted one of the top field performances of the day for YHC, clearing 1.83m (6-0) in the high jump to place seventh overall. Hunley also competed in the 60m dash. 

• In the middle-distance events, freshman Steven Johnson III turned in a strong showing in the 800m, finishing in 2:00.36, while junior Luke Sigman followed at 2:07.29. Johnson's effort was one of several positives highlighted by the coaching staff. 

• Xander Potter impressed in the one mile, winning his heat and leading the Mountain Lions with a time of 4:33.49. Freshman Thomas White (4:41.18) and sophomore Jack Holcomb (4:46.87) added valuable efforts in the event. 

• Freshman Brayden Henry continued his ndoor season in the pole vault, clearing 4.15m (13-7.25) to finish 10th overall. Henry's performance currently places him second in Conference Carolinas. 

• The men's 4x400m relay team of Christopher Umukodo, Steven Johnson, Stacy Frison, and Evan Johnson closed the meet with a time of 3:31.78. 

INSIDE THE WOMEN'S PERFORMANCE:

• The women's sprint group showed depth in the 400m, led by freshman Mattie Hibberts, who finished in 1:03.30. Fellow freshman Ryan Singh followed closely at 1:03.32, with sophomore Harper Hubbard adding a time of 1:05.78. 

• Freshmen Mary Proctor (27.97) and Addison Hansen (28.84) represented YHC in the 200m, continuing to gain valuable collegiate experience. 

• In the distance events, sophomore Natalie Payne made her return to competition in the one mile, posting a time of 6:09.37. Sophomore Emma Anderson also competed while returning to health, finishing the 3000m in 12:08.07. 

• Sophomore Cadence McClung ran the 800m, crossing the line in 3:00.03. 

• Freshman Kaleigh Bond rounded out the field events for the Mountain Lions with a shot put mark of 8.63m (28-3.75). 

UP NEXT:

The Mountain Lions will continue their indoor season as they build toward the Conference Carolinas Indoor Championships in just over four weeks!