RALEIGH, N.C. – Friday marked the second day of the Raleigh Relays hosted by North Carolina State University (NCSU at the Paul H. Derr Track. But it was the first day for the North Carolina A&T men's and women's outdoor track and field sprinters.
Junior Jason Holmes made his season debut with a second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.57. Holmes was first among the collegiate athletes, placing only behind Jamal Britt (13.34), the 2022 North American Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships 110H silver medalist.
Holmes could move to No. 2 in the nation after this weekend.
Similarly, senior and reigning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) women's track athlete of the week Lucheyona Weaver beat out the college competition in the 100H, placing third overall behind Olympic Runner Gabbi Cunningham (13.25) and Pan American Games gold medalist Erin Marsh (13.10).
Her mark of 13.30 is ranked No. 6 in the nation as the weekend competition across the country continues.
Also running in the men's 110H, reigning CAA men's track athlete of the week, sophomore Isaiah Taylor placed third with a personal record of 13.81. Junior Thomas Smith IV placed fifth in the 13.98.
Sophomore Jordan Ware finished sixth in the men's 100 meters with a mark of 10.52. Among the college competitors, he placed fourth.
In the men's 400m, freshman Elijah Thomas placed fifth with a personal record of 46.71, and sophomore Dyimond Walker placed seventh in 47.15. Thomas' new PR bumps Walker down from his No. 1 rank in the CAA, where he was leading with his time of 47.82 from High Point University's Bob Davidson Team Challenge.
Seniors Carlos Alexander and Brayden Hodgest faced a similar battle in the men's discus throw. Alexander finished 13th in 163 feet, 6 inches, and Hodgest placed 17th in 160 feet, 1 inch. Hodgest had the No. 1 ranking in the CAA with his throw of 162 feet, 7 inches from the Bob Davidson Team Challenge, but Alexander's mark will likely take that spot.
The Aggies will wrap up the Raleigh Relays on Saturday. The last day of the meet will start with the men's hammer throw at 9:30 a.m. Running events will begin with the women's 4x100 relay at noon.
