Mobile, Ala. – Led by a standout effort in the 100m hurdles by Shaneil Lysight, the Western Carolina track and field teams posted strong performances across the board, closing out the outdoor-opening USA Invite with seven event wins on the final day of competition.
 
Lysight headlined the day for the Catamounts in the women's 100m Hurdles, winning the event with a 13.79s finish. A St. Andrews, Jamaica product, Lysight clocked a personal record, and her performance now sits as the second best in the event on WCU's all-time top five performance list. The Catamount senior entered the 2026 outdoor campaign third in program history in the event, but lowered her own personal record by 0.9 seconds.
 
Outside of Lysight, the WCU women's team posted four additional event wins. Leah Butler claimed first in the 400m with a 57.79s finish and was followed by Gabrielle Harris, who took second with a time of 59.05. Ashlynn Watkins won the women's 800m with a 2:17.69 performance, while Peyton Skoglund was close behind at third with a 2:19.52 finish.
 
Off the track, Ericka Jackson and Raelyn Vadala claimed a pair of event wins in the javelin and the long jump. Jackson was one of only two competitors with a throw over 43 meters on the day, taking first with a 43.28m toss. Lexie Durban took third in the event with a personal best distance of 40.51m.  
 
Vadala led the Catamounts in the long jump, taking first with a leap of 5.45m on her fourth attempt of the day. Kendal Hudson took second with a 5.19m bound.
 
On the men's side, Austin Cline and Trevor Williams earned a pair of event wins in the shot put and the 800m. Cline's win came on a toss of 15.79m, with Anthony Hawkins Jr. finishing second with a 15.18m attempt. Williams narrowly scored his win in the 800m, just edging out Mobile's Jeb Scarbrough with a 1:55.68 finish.  
 
Up Next for The Catamounts:
The 2026 outdoor season is in full swing as the Catamounts head to Charlotte, N.C., for split-squad action at the Big South vs. SoCon Conference Challenge and the Charlotte 49er Classic. Both meets begin on Thurs. March 19 and run through Sat., March 21.