Asheville, N.C. – With its home meet looming on the horizon, the Western Carolina men's and women's track & field teams completed a big weekend in nearby Asheville on Saturday, cruising to a quartet of event wins and 14 additional top-five finishes to close out the UNC Asheville Invitational.

Unhindered by adverse weather conditions that greeted the competitors on Friday, WCU freshman Lexi Durban led the throws squad with a win in the javelin throw, while Shaneil Lysight and Christian Roberts took first in their respective 400-meter hurdles. John Davis capped the day for the Catamounts with a dominating win in the 800m. 

Durban and the Catamount underclassmen led the day in the throws events as she and fellow freshman Emmie Finley took first and fourth in the javelin throw with marks of 37.78m and 35.95m, respectively. The Catamount men's squad was close to a pair of top-five finishes as well as freshman Trez Fouch took seventh in the discus throw with a personal best mark of 42.63m. Dominick Dale took sixth in the javelin with a 50.87m toss.  

WCU dominated the 400m hurdles on both sides with Lysight and Roberts earning wins thanks to a 1:05.11 finish and a 54.06s time in the women's and men's events respectively. Lysight was followed by a top-five performance by Marie Harris in fourth, while Roberts was trailed by teammate Jaylen Morrow in fifth. Roberts and Morrow both recorded personal bests in the men's 400m.  

Senior John Davis maintained a comfortable lead throughout the men's 800m, climbing atop the podium, tripping the tape at 1:52.19. Henry Stecher finished just outside the top five in sixth after his 1:56.22 time.  

Up Next for The Catamounts: 

The Catamounts will have some time to reflect on their seven-event wins and 29 top-five finishes before returning to action on April 25-26 for the annual Catamount Classic. Friday's action is slated to be broadcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) that weekend.

WCU then heads to Birmingham, Ala. for the 2025 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships which run May 12-13.

Catamount Top-Five Finishes at UNCA Invitational:

Women's Javelin Throw: Lexi Durban | 37.78m (1st) 

Women's Javelin Throw: Emmie Finley | 35.95m (4th) 

Women's 400m Hurdles: Shaneil Lysight | 1:05.11 (1st) 

Women's 400m Hurdles: Marie Harris | 1:07.69 (4th) 

Men's 400m Hurdles: Christian Roberts | 54.06s (1st) 

Men's 400m Hurdles: Jaylen Morrow | 57.64s (4th) 

Women's 400m: Leah Butler | 56.23s (2nd) 

Men's Triple Jump: Nathan Williams | 13.41m (3rd) 

Men's 400m: Trevor Williams | 49.19s (2nd) 

Men's 800m: John Davis | 1:52.19 (1st) 

Men's 200m: Ethan Long | 21.00s (3rd) 

Men's Javelin Throw: Jackson Livingston | 56.80m (2nd)

Men's 4x400m: Devan Sloan El, Henry Stecher, Trevor Williams, Elias Barton | 3:17.77 (2nd) 

Men's 4x400m: Christian Roberts, Jaylen Morrow, CJ McFerrin, John Davis | 3:23.38 (3rd)