Winston-Salem, N.C | The Young Harris men's and women's track and field teams concluded their indoor campaign competing Sunday (Feb. 22nd) and Monday (Feb. 23rd) at the Conference Carolinas Indoor Track and Field Championship hosted at the JDL Fast Track. This two-day competition marked historic progress for the Mountain Lions, as Ryland Hunley became Young Harris track and field's first Conference Carolinas individual champion in the men's heptathlon.

Over two days, Hunley fought hard setting personal records in all seven events to claim the title in the end with a gritty 1,000m race. Both the men and women's team competed hard throughout the competition scoring in multiple individual events to post historic team finishes. The women's team finished 13th and the men's team finished 8th. With this momentum, the Mountain Lions hope to have an even more successful outdoor campaign.

Quote from Director of Track and Field Matt Logan:

"I can't overstate how successful this weekend was for us. When Ryland gets going, he is really tough to beat. It feels like a big moment for the track program with him winning the hep and becoming our first conference championship in track and field. Evan Johnson had a huge 1k to finish the hep and scored some really important team points for us. Brayden and Wyatt were really good in the pole vault and 5k. Our DMR guys all ran personal bests. Potter was 5th and really deserves his huge personal best. That guy is a big part of our team and to see things work out is really rewarding as a coach. I think most of the team had personal bests. The women were bolstered by Walraven, Greene, and our 4 x 4. It was the first time we had purple all over the track and in the field. The kind of progress we've seen is contagious with our entire group."  

Men's Highlights:

• Ryland Hunley scored 4,521 points in the heptathlon to place 1st overall.  
• Xander Potter in the mile ran 4:19.50 to place 5th overall.  
• In the 5,000m Wyatt Whipp recorded a 15:16.36 to finish 8th.  
• The men's DMR (distance medley relay) impressed with a 10:35.77  
• Evan Johnson scored 4,121points in the heptathlon to take 4th .  

Women's Highlights:

• Lexi Greene competed hard in the 5,000m to place 5th, running 18:39.24.  
• Brynley Walraven posted a 2:22.31 to place 3rd in the 800m  
• The women's DMR (distance medley relay) fought hard to run 13:45.58 to place 8th .  
• The women's 4 x 400m ran 4:13.81 to place 8th .  

Up Next:

The Mountain Lions will now turn their attention to the outdoor season. Where they will be competing at the Victor ice breaker duals hosted by Berry College on Saturday, March 7th.