Western Carolina Dominates at the Catamount Classic

Western Carolina track and field team competing at the Catamount Classic

News Summary

The Western Carolina track and field team showcased exceptional talent at the 2025 Catamount Classic in Cullowhee, securing six event wins and 30 top-five finishes. Key contributions came from standout performers like CJ McFerrin and Ethan Long, who excelled in their respective events. The team prepared for the upcoming Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, leaving a strong impression as they aim for continued success.

Western Carolina Dominates at the Catamount Classic

In a thrilling display of athleticism and spirit, the city of Cullowhee witnessed an impressive performance from the Western Carolina track and field team during the 2025 Catamount Classic. The meet, held on April 26, 2025, at the Catamount Athletics Complex, saw WCU bring home a whopping six event wins and a remarkable 30 top-five finishes, showcasing their talent and hard work.

A Day of Achievements

The Catamounts put on a spectacular show, demonstrating their depth and competitiveness against eleven other participating teams, including ETSU, Wofford, VMI, Gardner-Webb, and UNC Asheville. This meet not only served as an exciting competition but also as a crucial final preparation for the upcoming Southern Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships, set to take place in Birmingham, Alabama on May 12-13.

Rising Stars Shine Bright

Two standout performers were the senior CJ McFerrin and freshman Ethan Long, both making their mark nationally in their respective events. McFerrin, hailing from Alpharetta, GA, powered through the finals of the 110m hurdles to clinch first place with an impressive time of 14.00 seconds. Not only did he finish over half a second ahead of his competitors, but his performance also ranks 81st nationally in the NCAA Division I seasonal rankings.

On the other hand, freshman Ethan Long from Lakeside Park, KY, dazzled the crowd with his finish in the 100m dash. With a swift time of 10.31 seconds, he edged out competitor DeMarr Harvey from UNC Asheville, making a name for himself as he stands at 89th in the nation for this event. If it weren’t for the fierce winds during their races, both Long and McFerrin might have set new school records!

Strong Performances Across the Board

Freshman Ericka Jackson also put on an extraordinary show, winning the women’s shot put event with a personal best throw of 13.29 meters. Jackson narrowly defeated ETSU’s Alexis Carter, who managed a mark of 13.24 meters. Lexi Durban contributed to the team’s success as well, finishing third in the shot put with a solid throw of 12.49 meters.

The men also brought home significant victories, with freshman Christian Roberts winning the men’s 400m hurdles with a personal record of 53.61 seconds. Remarkably, Roberts was the only athlete to break the 54-second mark in that event, proving his dominance in style.

Relay Team Triumphs

The excitement didn’t stop there. The men’s 4x400m relay team, including Noah Straley, Spencer Dube, Trevor Williams, and Elias Barton, crossed the finish line first with a season-best time of 3:12.96. Meanwhile, the Catamounts’ “B” team, featuring Quinton Godfrey, Langston McCovery, and Devan Sloan El, secured a strong third place in the same event.

What’s Next?

After their outstanding performance at the Catamount Classic, the team will now rejuvenate and prepare for their next challenge at the Southern Conference Championships. With a week off to regroup, all eyes will be on these athletes as they aim to carry this momentum into their next competition.

The Catamount Classic proved to be a perfect final tune-up for the Catamounts as they showed they are ready for what lies ahead. With the combination of remarkable talent, teamwork, and an unwavering spirit, good things are surely on the horizon for Western Carolina’s track and field team!