UNC track and field fairs well in 2 states

Two 800-meter races, two kicks and two first-place finishes.

The North Carolina track and field team competed in the Raleigh Relays at N.C. State this weekend, where sophomore Lizzy Whelan and freshman Cory Nicholls won the men’s and women’s 800-meter races Saturday, posting nationally ranked times in the process.

Whelan’s time of 2:06.76 is the fourth fastest collegiate 800-meter time this outdoor season, while Nicholls’ time of 1:49.80 is tied for ninth in the nation.

“They’re very competitive times, especially this early in the season,” said track and field coach Harlis Meaders. “Lizzy has proven herself in cross country and indoor track, and it was a breakthrough performance for Cory Nicholls.”

Whelan kicked in the last 200 meters after being in fifth for most of the race. Nicholls moved from last to first place in the final 300 meters.

“My goal at that point was to move in the third 200, because that’s usually the point in the 800 where people tend to relax,” Nicholls said.

Both said they are happy with their performances, but recognize it’s early in the season.

“It’s just about continuing in that momentum and dropping that time so that I stay up there,” Whelan said.

The team faced rainy weather and high winds for most of the two-day meet, but Meaders said he was happy with the team’s overall performance.

Senior Tristine Johnson placed second in the women’s triple jump. In the men’s shot put, redshirt senior Chris DiLorenzo placed fourth. Sophomore Austin Vegas placed fifth in men’s pole vault, while junior Philip Morris placed sixth in men’s high jump.

“Our biggest place for improvement is getting the other kids performing at the level that we’re capable of doing,” Meaders said.

The team also competed in the Texas Relays last week, and Meaders said they performed well against tough competition at both meets.

“The Texas Relays are one of the biggest in the country,” he said. “We had a chance to compete against some of the best.”

Five UNC athletes competed in Texas. Sophomore Avana Story threw her best hammer throw as a collegiate athlete, while junior Xenia Rahn placed fourth in the women’s heptathlon and finished just 55 points shy of the school record.

Team members will compete in three meets next weekend — the Florida Relays, the Cardinal Invitational and at the Vert Klasse Track at High Point University.

“Next week will be a good test for us at the Florida Relays,” Meaders said. “Now that the ACC Championships is just a couple weeks away, we need to focus on getting them competing at a conference level.”

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