The indoor season for the NC State track and field team got off to a great start over the weekend, with the Wolfpack collecting seven podium finishes at the JDL College Kick-Off Classic in Winston-Salem Saturday.
On Sunday, junior Elly Henes continued the Pack’s hot start with a first-place finish and new school record in the 5,000-meter run at the JDL Early Bird Duals, also in Winston-Salem. Henes broke her own school record with a time of 15:41.63, good enough to qualify for the ACC Championships. Redshirt sophomore Dominique Clairmonte finished fourth in the event, also qualifying for ACCs.
At the College Kick-Off Classic on Saturday, redshirt senior Lauren Evans led the way for NC State. Evans won two throwing events on the day, finishing first in both the shot put and weight throw. Evans’ throw of 15.15 meters in the shot put was over a full meter better than the second-place finisher.
In the weight throw, Evans’ winning throw was 21.01 meters. Teammate Grace Gaudin, a redshirt freshman, joined Evans on the podium with a second-place finish and a throw of 17.73 meters.
Redshirt freshman Mikieja Covington had the Pack’s other win at the event, placing first in the long jump. Covington’s winning jump registered at 5.75 meters, .05 meters better than the next best competitor. Senior Janel Pate also reached the podium in the long jump, finishing in third with a jump of 5.69 meters.
The Wolfpack women’s final podium finish came in the 60-meter hurdles, as freshman Timara Chapman placed third. Chapman’s time of 8.95 was .22 seconds behind the event’s winner, and just .01 seconds ahead of the fourth-place finisher.
On the men’s side, the Pack had just one podium finish at the event. Junior JaTory Reid cleared the bar at 2.05 meters in the high jump, good for a second-place finish and ACC qualification.
The Wolfpack’s next event will be Dec. 8, as NC State will travel to Clemson, South Carolina for the Clemson Opener.
