‘Canes Race to Best Finish Ever at NJCAA Nationals; Chisholm Track Athlete of the Year, Oneill Assistant Coach of the Year

‘Canes Race to Best Finish Ever at NJCAA Nationals; Chisholm Track Athlete of the Year, Oneill Assistant Coach of the Year

In what was to be a windy week in Hobbs New Mexico, the Louisburg Hurricanes placed 22nd in the NJCAA Division 1 National Championships, their best ever finish.

The Canes, who have broken records all year, finished the season with some solid performances and placements. To start off the competition, Freshman Ashley Pearce ran to a 2 second season best in the 400 meter dash in a time of 58.03.  Kyle Hinson highlighted the day by placing 5th in the 10,000 Meter race Thursday night with a time of 32:23 in gusting wind conditions.  His finish marked the highest finish in the event ever for the 'Canes. With that performance, Kyle tied former 'Canes Jack Mastandrea's school record with a total of 6 All-American performances throughout his two years at Louisburg. Kyle will be rejoining Mastandrea in the Fall by attending the University of Charleston.

Friday began on the same note as Orlandus Gamble came 5th in the high jump competition. Improving on his 8th place position from the Indoor Championships, Orlandus becomes the highest ever finisher in a jumping event in Louisburg history.  Freshman Walker Hirsch qualified for the 1500 meter final by finishing 12th overall in the preliminary round. Qua-Ronz Robinson participated in the preliminary rounds, but was not able to advance to the final, finishing 25th of 36 in a tactically challenging race. To close out Friday's performances, Daijah Miles finished strong in the 100 meter to run a new school record and personal best time of 12.14.

The Canes ended the meet on championship Saturday with a trio of All-american performances. First to score was Sophomore Field Athlete Zach Boyers. He opened the competition by placing 8th in the Shot Put to acquire his second ever All-American recognition.

Walker Hirsch moved up one position in the finals of the 1500 to a respectable 11th place in the event. Walker, who beat a great number of stellar athletes in one the best NJCAA 1500 fields ever, will have a chance to improve upon that performance at Louisburg next year.

Tamiyah Megginson also competed the Triple Jump event and leapt to a season best of 11.07 meters, good enough for 11th place overall.

The distance events concluded with the 5,000 meter run in which Kyle Hinson finished 13th after taking the early lead into swirling winds. He held 1st position thru the mile and then fought hard to finish 13th. Freshman Albert Norman finished close behind in 16th place after competing in the steeplechase event the day before.

Finally, Tayshaun Chisholm placed 5th in the 110 Hurdle race to put the finishing touch on a great year for the freshman. Tayshaun broke the 14 second barrier for the first time in his career with a time of 13.92 seconds, a clocking that would have placed him second in the ACC Championships this year.

Tayshaun also was recognized as the Atlantic Region Track Athlete of the Year prior to the meet. Assistant Coach Sebie O'Neill also was selected as the Atlantic Region Assistant Coach of the Year.

The Hurricanes end the Track and Field year by adding 36 new school records and 9 All-Americans  in the 2nd season of the programs existence.