Bulldogs Make History at Gamecock Opener

UNC Asheville athletes exhibiting their competitive spirit at the Gamecock Opener.

News Summary

On January 11, 2025, the UNC Asheville indoor track and field team showcased their talent at the Gamecock Opener in Columbia, South Carolina. With 47 athletes participating, they achieved remarkable results, including a new long jump school record set by Nkosi Jeju. The Bulldogs celebrated 25 top-10 finishes and had an impressive showing in both running and field events. As they look forward to the Virginia Tech Invitational, the excitement remains high for what’s to come this season.

Championship Spirit Shines Bright in Columbia

January 11, 2025, was a remarkable day in Columbia, South Carolina, as the UNC Asheville indoor track and field team kicked off their 2025 season at the highly competitive Gamecock Opener. With 47 Bulldog athletes—that’s 24 men and 23 women—packing their bags for the competition, excitement filled the air as the teams warmed up and prepared to hit the track.

A Debut to Remember

A whopping twenty-one athletes from UNC Asheville took their first steps into collegiate indoor track and field, ready to leave their mark on the competition. And they certainly made an impression!

Record-Breaking Jumps

The star of the day was undoubtedly Nkosi Jeju, who soared to new heights—literally! Jeju set a new school record in the long jump, reaching a stunning distance of 7.34 meters. This impressive feat smashed the previous record of 7.08 meters held by Victor Mathuthu since 2018, showcasing Jeju’s hard work and training.

Top Performances Galore

The Bulldogs didn’t just bring home records; they bagged a staggering 25 top-10 finishes, including 11 top-five finishes and five podium finishes overall. What a powerful showcase of talent!

Impressive Runs in the 1000 Meters

In the men’s 1,000 meters, Jaheem O’Hara sprinted into third place with a time of 2:32.79, while teammate Logan Russo closely followed in fourth with 2:33.08. Both times secured their spots as the No. 2 and No. 3 performances in Asheville’s history.

On the women’s side, Isabel Richardson also made headlines with a third-place finish in the 1,000 meters, clocking in at 2:58.49 to become the No. 2 entry on Asheville’s Top Performance List. Meanwhile, Lily Kelpin and Ella Warren also shone bright with their fifth and sixth placements, finishing in 3:09.63 and 3:12.10 respectively.

Exciting Miles and 3000 Meters

Moving to the mile events, Paul Kiprotich made waves by finishing third in the men’s mile, racing to the finish in 4:18.17. On the women’s side, Ella Moore showed remarkable improvement by finishing fourth at 5:16.42. It’s clear the hard work in training is paying off!

In her collegiate debut, Addi Corl recorded an impressive third-place finish in the women’s 3,000 meters with a time of 10:22.96, putting a notable stamp on her first competition.

Thrilling Field Events

The field events were no less thrilling! Chaniya Owens showcased her athleticism by placing fifth in the women’s triple jump with a leap of 11.22 meters, while Madison Hannah achieved a personal record in the women’s weight throw with a throw of 13.28 meters.

In addition, Aaron Higgins took on the men’s 60m dash and ran strong, finishing 30th overall. Meanwhile, Shemarr Session and Adam Graham qualified for the semifinals in the men’s 60m hurdles, celebrating personal bests along the way.

Next Up for the Bulldogs

With the energy from the Gamecock Opener still buzzing, the Bulldogs are already gearing up for their next meet at the Virginia Tech Invitational in Blacksburg, Virginia, on January 17-18, 2025. After such a triumphant start to the season, we can’t wait to see what these talented athletes will accomplish next!