ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Winthrop University track and field teams will conclude the 2025-26 indoor track and field season at the Big South Championships hosted at Tryon International.
"I couldn't be prouder of this team. Since September, they've committed to the process; and the personal bests they've accumulated are proof of that commitment. This meet is no different. Step in with a mindset of excellence in everything you do, and trust that the results will follow" said Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Raffael Craig.
ATHLETES TO WATCH
- Kevin Brown and Michael Boucher sit in 6th and 7th in the 60m dash
- Mitchell Hill comes into the championships with the 6th fastest 800m mark this season
- The men's 4x400m relay team holds the 3rd fastest time in the Big South this season
- Faith Wood comes in to the meet with the 5th farthest mark in the women's triple jump
ABOUT THE EAGLES
- Winthrop opened its season in Winston-Salem
- Newly minted head coach Raffael Craig guides the Eagles in his first season at the helm
- The men's squad returns 25, adding ten newcomers
- The women's squad returns 16, and adds 13 new athletes
LAST TIME OUT
ON THE TRACK
- Kayah Marques ran a lifetime best time of 5:04.12 in the women's mile, which is good for No. 3 all-time in Winthrop school history. She would double back to run a personal best in the women's 800m with a time of 2:18.30, which ranks 5th in school history
- Mitchell Hill continued his stellar indoor campaign with an indoor personal best in the 800m, finishing in 1:55.23 which moves him to No. 4 all-time in Winthrop school history
RECAP OF FIRST MEET
- Freshman Carina Fiorucci delivered one of the day's highlights with a 3.30m clearance in the women's pole vault, moving her to fourth all-time in program history.
- Senior Faith Wood added another top performance in the women's triple jump, finishing with an 11.62m mark that ranks fifth all-time for the Eagles.
- On the men's side, senior Timothy Speaks broke into the Winthrop top five in the weight throw, placing fifth overall with a 16.24m toss that now stands fifth all-time.
- The men ignited the afternoon with a sweep of school records on the track. Junior Shane King opened the run with a 21.85 performance in the 200m, securing the win and breaking the long-standing indoor school record of 21.89 set in 2007. Teammate Michael Boucher also climbed the charts, posting a 22.09 claiming the #4 all-time spot.
- The momentum continued in the 600m, where junior Kendale Cooke stormed to a 1:23.11 finish to take the event to win and shatter the program record. Juniors Jurnii Lucas (1:24.01) and Darrell Price (1:24.58) followed close behind, slotting into #2 and #3 all-time, respectively.
- Winthrop closed the meet wiht another solid time, as Price, King, Lucas, and Cooke combined to win the men's 4x400m relay in 3:18.06.
- On the women's side, junior Jordan Bailem turned in a strong showing in the 60m hurdles, running 8.85 to earn fourth all-time in program history.
JOIN THE EAGLE CLUB
The Eagle Club is the official fundraising arm of Winthrop Athletics. Your generosity directly supports Winthrop Athletics and helps provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to succeed on and off the field. From facility upgrades and enhanced game-day experiences to scholarships, equipment, travel, and academic support, every dollar makes a difference
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By investing in the Eagle Club, you're helping us build a stronger future for Winthrop Athletics—one that prioritizes excellence, opportunity, and a championship culture.
WINTHROP IMPACT NETWORK
Winthrop Athletics is proud to announce the launch of WIN: Winthrop's Impact Network- a distinguished philanthropic giving society established to support and elevate Winthrop's 16 NCAA Division I programs and nearly 300 student-athletes.
In the new era of college athletics, it is critical now more than ever to generate revenue to provide Winthrop student-athletes with the resources and opportunities needed to compete for Big South championships and advance in the NCAA tournament. Winthrop's Impact Network members will have an elite level of direct impact on the future of Winthrop Athletics. For more information, click here.
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