Clemson, S.C. – Led by a second-place finish in the women's 400m by junior Leah Butler, the Western Carolina track and field teams wrapped up their season-opening meet at the Clemson Opener on Friday.
The Catamount women's team posted three podium placements in the Palmetto State, with Butler's 57.40s finish in the 400m earning second-place, the highest on the day across both teams. Sophomore Ericka Jackson and two-sport standout senior Sadler Miller finished third in the shot put and the high jump, respectively, with a throw of 12.80m and a clear of 1.66m.
Senior Noah Straley earned the best finish on the men's team, taking fifth in the long jump with a 7.13m leap on his first attempt of the season. The WCU men's team had a handful of performances finish just outside the top five as well, with sophomore Trevor Williams (6th – 600m; 1:20.34), senior Austin Cline (6th – weight throw; 16.70m), and sophomore Kolton Weaver (7th – shot put; 14.88m) all recording notable finishes. Freshman Daniel Coronell also took a strong finish in his collegiate debut, taking seventh in the high jump with a 1.96m clear.
In total, including Coronell, WCU had 13 freshmen compete on the day as Shaniya Shirley, Gabrielle Harris, McCarey Beaty, Celia Gully, Morgan Edwards, Jada Erwin, Delton Jones, Arrone Cosentino, Nick Porter, Josh Flack, Noah Brannon, and Anthony Hawkins Jr. each made their collegiate debuts.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
Western Carolina breaks for the holidays before returning to action on Jan. 10 as the team splits between the Clemson Invitational in Clemson, S.C., and the UNC Asheville Collegiate Opener in Mill Spring, N.C.
