Braves Hold Strong To Second In USTFCCCA Region Rankings

NEW ORLEANS – After opening the region rankings in second place last week and competing at the Wofford College Terrier Relays, the UNCP men's track and field team continued momentum in second in the region rankings announced by United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday.

Leading the region is Mount Olive in first, while the Black and Gold trail in second with Wingate, King, Anderson (S.C.), Mars Hill, Columbus State, Lees-McRae, Limestone and Lenoir-Rhyne following in order.

Freshman Shaquille Ray led the sprinters with his fastest 100m dash with a time of 10.80 seconds, while he NCAA provisionally qualified for the national championships in the 200m dash with his best time of 21.42 seconds. Junior Jon Williams contributed with his performance in the 200m dash with a time of 21.92 seconds for a new personal best.

The 4x100m relay team of Jameel Joyner, Ray, Bryant Armour and Williams posted a first place finish with a time of 41.55 seconds to rank first in the region in the event.

The Braves will compete again on Friday and Saturday when the squad travels to Charlotte, N.C., for the Johnson C. Smith Invitational.

The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) is the non-profit professional organization that represents men's and women's cross country and track & field coaches in the United States. The organization represents over 8,000 coaching members, including 91% of NCAA coaches. USTFCCCA serves as an advocate for cross country and track & field coaches, providing a leadership structure to assist the needs of a diverse membership, serving as a lobbyist for coaches' interests, and working as a liaison between the various stakeholders in the sports of cross country and track & field.