CONCORD, N.C. - It was a successful weekend for the Southern Virginia University men's track and field team, as the Knights collected second in the team race of the USA South outdoor championship meet.
It was a step-up from the indoor conference meet in February where the team placed fifth. The athletes clawed for every available point and edged out Brevard and Methodist, each of whom were within 20 points of them.
Day One
Friday's events were a bright spot for the Knights who finished the day in second place, only a handful of points behind the leader.
Lincoln Trapp was inches away from claiming the gold in the javelin after a throw of 49.24m (161' 6"). Zeke Newman collected his first podium of the championships in the long jump, finishing third after a leap of 6.54m (21' 5.50").
Newman joined six teammates to sweep the pole vault not long after. McCormick Johnson had a breakthrough performance, soaring over the bar at 4.85m (15' 11") on his first attempt to obliterate the conference record and snag his third-ever USA South individual title.
Day Two
At the beginning of the final day of events, it took a meet record to prevent Sawyer Apple from claiming individual glory in the 110 hurdles. Apple crossed the line in 15.10 seconds, a personal best and program record to secure second place.
Joseph Hughes and Jackson McDonald were others to produce podium finishes on day two. Hughes fought hard in a competitive 1,500 to finish third while running a season best of 4:06.79.
McDonald, who's steadily improved in the 400 hurdles throughout the outdoor campaign, had his own breakthrough on the track. He crossed the line nearly three seconds better than his previous best in the event, securing third in 56.56. He's now the third best in the event in program history.
Team Results
Southern Virginia totaled 136 points to finish as runner-up at the meet. The Knights have at least finished second in every outdoor championship since joining the USA South ahead of the 2022 season.
Pfeiffer claimed the title for a second straight year and Brevard finished the weekend in third with 129 points.
For the most up-to-date information on the team and a meet schedule, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightxctf on Instagram.
