The men’s indoor track and field team finished first overall at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Championships in Winston-Salem, NC Feb. 17-18. The women’s team also finished with a high overall score, coming up in third place. The men’s conference win is the first AAC championship in the program’s history.
“This is our first win on the men’s side,” Layne said. “This was truly a team effort, from our throws athletes to our distance crew. You can’t ever win a teal title without it being an effort across the board.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams also earned conference honor awards at the event. Senior Avery DeWolf Burton and Graduate Will Stockley received Track Athlete of the Year for their outstanding performance. Bryn Woodall was honored as the AAC Men’s Freshman of the Year. Head coach Chris Layne and his coaching staff were awarded AAC Men’s Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
Burton competed in the mile, the women’s 1k, and the distance medley relay (DMR) as the anchor leg. She set AAC records in both the 1k and the DMR with a 1k time of 5:01.76 and a time of 12:19.09 in the DMR..
Burton commented on her feelings about this season so far.
“The moment that meant the most to me this season has been seeing my teammates start to come into their own as athletes,” Burton said.. “Quite a few of them have had some important breakthroughs and I am so proud of them. Not everyone gets to see the work that goes on behind the scenes, but as their teammate, I get to cheer them on every step of the way.”
Stockley also set new AAC records in the men’s 1k, DMR, and the Mile events with a final 1k time of 4:17.36. Woodall finished second in the 1k, closely behind Stockley with a time of 4:18.01.
“What has meant the most to me is being a part of such a motivated team where everyone supports each other,” Stockley said. “I especially appreciate the work that is carried out behind the scenes by the Coaches and Team-Ops. I know how much effort they put in to make everything professional and run smoothly. It has really meant a lot to me, as I know it does the whole team.”
The indoor track season will finish with the NAIA National Championships beginning March 3rd in Brookings, South Dakota.
Photos by Natalia Rivas Foster