BEREA, KY - The 2022 USA South Women's Track & Field Championship took place this week at the Berea College Outdoor Track in Berea, Kentucky.
Southern Virginia captured the USA South championship in its first year as League members as the Knights topped second place Piedmont by 17 points.

The NC Wesleyan Lady Bishops finished in 8th place out of 13 teams with 44 points for their best finish in school history at the conference meet.

Individually, top performers of the meet were selected based on the amount of points contributed to their team. "Heading into day 2 of the USA South Championships the Lady Bishops were determined to make a statement that they are here and they are here to stay," commented Coach Bill Dunn.

N.C. Wesleyan's freshman sprinter Mariah Brooks was named the Track Rookie Athlete of the Meet for winning the 100 meter dash in a USA South record time of 11.99 seconds for 10 team points. She was named to the All-Conference First Team as well for her efforts.

Junior teammate Teanna Bellamy also ran well finishing 7th in the 100 meter finals in a time of 14 seconds flat. Bellamy also ran well in the 400 meters placing 4th overall in a valiant effort in the finals in a time of 1:02 to earn 5 team points.

Brooks then won the 200 meter dash later in the day in 25.04 seconds to set another conference and school record and earn 10 team points and was named to the all-conference first team again. Bellamy also finished 8th in the 200 meters in a time of 27.2 seconds.

"The Lady Bishops wanted respect and they got it," exclaimed Coach Dunn after the meet.

The top-three performers in each event were deemed All-Conference while an All-Sportsmanship team was also announced and junior distance runner Kelsey Hutchison was named the Lady Bishops' honoree. Senior sprinter Keyonte Williams was named to the All-Sportsmanship team for the men as well.

Hutchison placed 11th overall out of 25 in the 1500 meter run in a time of 5:34 while she was 16th out of 30 in the 800 meters in a time of 2:40. Hutchison had a valiant performance in the 1500 meter run setting a new personal best as she bested her previous personal record by four seconds. 

The 4x400 meter women's relay team consisting of Brooks, Bellamy, Hutchison and freshman Assata Sirleaf also ran well placing 7th out of 11 schools in a time of 4:25 to set a new school record.

The day started with three women competing in the shot put as freshman Christian Van Norden led the way for the women placing third in the Shotput with a throw of 11.27 meters to earn 6 team points and become a third team all-conference member. Senior Bijou Patel also threw a mark of 9.14 meters in the shotput to place 15th while sophomore Kameesha Pascoe placed 24th out of 37 with a mark of 8.65 meters.

On the men's side, sprinter Keyonte Williams then finished 5th in the 400 meter hurdle finals in a time of 57.6 seconds to earn 4 team points. "Keyonte continues to move his way up the nationals list with an expressive performance in the 400 meter hurdle finals," commented Head Coach Bill Dunn. Keyonte set a new personal record and school record with a 5th place finish.

"Keyonte is a well respected team captain that has helped in every way he can. To see Keyonte progress at an accelerated rate has been so gratifying. He has the ability to make his case for nationals."

In the men's shotput, freshman Malik Anderson placed 17th with a mark of 9.34 meters. Freshman Ayden Harper also placed 26th out of 32 in the 1500 meters in 4:55 and was 29th in the 5000 meters in 18:30. The men's 4x400 meter relay team consisting of Williams, Harper, senior Luis Ross, and freshman Abu Dolley finished 11th in the relay in a time of 3:53.

https://usasouth.net/sports/wtrack/2021-22/releases/20220401pzecr8

Track Rookie Athlete of the Meet

Mariah Brooks
N.C. Wesleyan

Kelsey Hutchison, N.C. Wesleyan

 Keyonte Williams, N.C. Wesleyan

2022 USA South Women's Track & Field Team Results:

FULL INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM RESULTS

2022 USA South Men's Track & Field Team Results:

FULL INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM RESULTS