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SPORTS

SWU’s fledgling track program hitting stride

Nikki Steele
Contributing Writer;

CENTRAL – The Southern Wesleyan track and field teams are in the middle of their first outdoor season, and they continue to improve as the season rolls along.

The Warriors’ recorded their best meet at the Blue Shoes Track Invitational at Furman University, where the teams won four events and set 17 season-best marks.

“The kids have really been running well and been very competitive,” coach Greg Thiel said. “The kids are coming around really well. They did a very good job at Furman last week, and we are gearing up for conference in two weeks.

“The Furman meet was really good for us because there were a lot of schools that were our size – small schools – so we were able to get a gauge of where we’re at.”

Several Warriors have earned athlete of the week awards recently.

On the women’s side, Jessica Maggio and Olivia Bush were selected track athletes of the week for the South States Athletic Conference. Maggio ran six races at Furman and Bush continues to perfect her throwing.

“Jessica Maggio has been critical for us this year, especially in the 100m and and the 100m hurdles,” Thiel said. “She also runs on our relays. (Olivia) Bush has been messing around with javelin for the last two weeks and is now the top-ranked thrower in the SSAC. She just has a natural gift to throw it.”

For the men, Thiel said that Keith Johnson – recently selected the SSAC and the National Christian College Athletic Association track athlete of the week – and Jhante McMillan have been an integral part of the team’s success.

“Keith Johnson has been great for us this year,” Thiel said. “He and Jhante McMillan have been great especially considering that they are freshmen. Keith has been in the top three in about every one of his races. Jhante won that 200m with a time of 21.79. Both of those guys have been outstanding.”

• The men’s golf team finished third in the SSAC championships at Lagoon Park Golf Club. Tyler Cozad led the Warriors and finished the tournament in eighth place with a 54-hole total 219. SWU will wait to see if its makes the NAIA Tournament field.

• Zach Moore was selected to the All-SSAC men’s golf team. Moore is ranked No. 4 in the SSAC with a 73.12 average.