WCU Women's Track Team Claims First Title Since 2018

Western Carolina's women's track and field team pulled off a nail-biting comeback to win their first conference championship since 2018, defeating Samford by just seven points in a thrilling finish.

The Catamounts scored 182.5 points to Samford's 175.5 at the Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championship, which wrapped up Tuesday at their home complex in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It was the closest title race on the women's side in a decade.

Cymoria Thomas led the charge, becoming the first WCU woman since 2016 to sweep both the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints. Her 20 points helped spark a dramatic rally that saw the Catamounts score 68 points in the final eight events.

The triple jump squad delivered a knockout punch with 22 points. Jasmine Greene won the event with a jump of 12.25 meters, while four teammates also scored to give WCU a nine-point cushion heading into the final relay.

The 4x400-meter relay team sealed the championship with a third-place finish, giving Western Carolina its 11th team title in program history. That's more than any other current Southern Conference member.

The men's team also had plenty to celebrate, finishing second overall with their best performance since 2019. Austin Cline and Anthony Hawkins Jr. claimed conference championships in hammer throw and discus, while the throws squad combined for 66 of the team's 180.5 points.

Freshman Bradley White stole the show by breaking a 54-year-old school record in the 1,500-meter run. His time of 3:46.45 shattered the mark set by Ben Bailey in 1972, cutting nearly four seconds off his personal best.

The teams combined for eight individual conference championships, 20 All-Conference finishes, and an impressive 15 freshmen earning All-Freshman team honors.

The Ripple Effect

This championship represents more than just medals and records. Western Carolina brought home their conference's most prestigious team title with 11 championships, proving that sustained excellence and program building pay off over time.

The victory also showcased the depth of talent across both teams, with 75 total scoring efforts demonstrating that success comes from every athlete contributing. Gaby Reeve earned the Pinnacle Award for having the highest GPA on the championship-winning team, showing these student-athletes excel in the classroom too.

Championships like this inspire the next generation of athletes in rural North Carolina communities, proving that dedication and teamwork can overcome any obstacle.

The Catamounts showed that patience, preparation, and believing in each other can turn an eight-year drought into pure joy.