The NC State men’s and women’s track and field teams will kick off their Indoor Track and Field campaigns this coming weekend.
The teams will distribute competitors to both the Boston University season opener and the Holiday Open at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.
Last year, the men’s side culminated its indoor track and field campaign with a second place finish at the ACC Indoor Championship meet and a No. 17 national ranking. Led by a strong sprint core, it’s likely the team will continue this trend of success.
Key returners include junior Quashawn Cunningham, junior Shannon Patterson and sophomore Nyheim Hines. Last year, the trio of sprinters was able to pack the podium at the ACC Indoor Championships.
Cunningham earned bronze in the 100-meter dash and silver in the 200-meter dash. Meanwhile, Patterson emerged with a fifth place finish in the 200m dash and Hines garnered a fifth place result in the 100m dash.
During the outdoor circuit, the speedsters experienced continuous success; constructing an NCAA All American 4x100m relay team. The field events will also be an area of strength for the Pack.
Returning to the roster is redshirt junior Joshua Davis. Davis garnered many accolades during last year’s indoor circuit. The Pelham, North Carolina native placed 16th at NCAA Championships in the weight throw, earning All American honors. He also set a school record in the weight throw event.
Sophomore high jumper Christopher Garrick will partner up with Davis in the field. As a true freshman, Garrick placed fifth in the ACC Indoor Championship meet. The Waxhaw, North Carolina native built upon his indoor success, placing third in the high jump at last spring’s ACC Outdoor Championship meet.
In addition to a strong group of veterans, the Pack boasts a talented incoming freshman class. Freshmen Cravont Charleston and Dylan Peebles will look to further bolster an already dense Pack sprint crew.
Charleston was crowned 2016 NCHSAA State Champion in both the outdoor 100m and indoor 55m. Meanwhile, Peebles earned gold in the 300m at the 2015 NCHSAA indoor state track meet and holds a swift 200m personal best of 21.72 seconds. However, in order to achieve success, the team will have to overcome three major losses.
For four years, Jonathan Addison played a vital role in Wolfpack men’s track and field. Though primarily a long jumper, the Raleigh native garnered honors in a wide spectrum of events while at State. His accolades included four NCAA First-Team All-American finishes in the 2016 outdoor long jump, 2016 indoor long jump, 2015 indoor long jump and 2016 outdoor 4x100m relay.
Distance runners Graham Crawford and Luis Vargas also proved vital last season but will no longer be around to assist the Pack. Crawford finished on the All-ACC team in the indoor mile during 2016. Meanwhile, Vargas earned fifth in the 5,000m and seventh in the 3,000m at last year’s NCAA indoor championships. Despite these losses, the men’s team looks set to continue building upon last season’s result.
On the women’s side, the team will look to continue climb up from last season’s seventh place ACC finish and 17th place NCAA meet result. It’s probable the women’s side will be steered by its abundance of distance talent. Key returners include senior Erika Kemp and redshirt senior Megan Moye.
On the indoor track, Kemp had a very successful campaign last season. The Mount Holly, New Jersey native placed fifth in the 5,000m at the 2016 NCAA Indoor Championships. Kemp also broke the indoor school record in the event, recording a speedy time of 15:45.46.
Moye was equally as impactful on the indoor oval. Last winter, the Cosby High School alumna earned silver in the mile at the ACC Indoor Championships and took seventh overall at the NCAA National meet. Additionally, Moye set the outdoor school record in the 1,500m with a mark of 4:11.91.
In the field, expect junior Javonne Antoine to make a mark as well. Last season, the Beltsville, Maryland native showcased her springs as she took fourth in triple jump at the 2016 ACC indoor meet. However, in the path to success, the team will have to confront the major loss of Alexis Perry and Nicole Chavis.
Similarly to Addison on the men’s side, Perry proved valuable in a wide range of events.
The Durham native gathered bronze in the 60m hurdles at last season’s ACC Indoor Championship meet. She also brought home gold at the 2015 ACC’s Indoor Championships in the long jump.
Last season, Chavis culminated her Wolfpack indoor track and field career in style. Chavis proved valuable in the weight throw where she set a school record throw of 71’10.75” and placed fifth at NCAA Indoor Nationals in the event.
Despite the graduation of a few key seniors, Wolfpack men’s and women’s track and field look poised for success on the indoor track and field circuit.
