FROSTBURG, Md. – The University of Charleston women’s track & field team had a big day on the track as they won the 2024 Mountain East Conference Outdoor Track &Field Championship on Tuesday afternoon in Frostburg, Maryland.
 
The Golden Eagles finished the three-day event with 173 points, outperforming West Virginia Wesleyan (132) in the final meet standings. Frostburg State came in third place with 118 points, while West Liberty (101) and Wheeling (100) rounded out the top five.
 
UC’s big day on the track saw Balie Destefano taking second in the 100-meter hurdles while also taking second in the 400-meter hurdles.
 
The Golden Eagles took first, third, and fourth in the 1500 with Beth Sykes winning it with a 4:40.00, Madison Woolwine third, and Mercy Jepleting fourth. Julie LaFare won the 5000 with a time of 18:08.83 while Mercy Jepleting finished second placed. LaFare also won the 10,000 with a time of 37:54.90.
 
WVWC was led by Samantha Cash as she won the Heptathlon scoring 4372 points. Cash who was the Most Valuable Performer of the meet, also took first in the 400-meter hurdles.
 
Frostburg State won the 4x100 relay as the team of Isabella Mastria, Malaika Habib, Lilly Williams, and Valerie Boards finished with time of 47.46. The 4x400 was also won by the Bobcats of Frostburg State with a time of 3:56.29 the team consisted of Valerie Boards, Lilly Williams, Isabella Mastria, and Jasmine Scott.
 
POSTSEASON AWARDS
 
Following the championship, the Mountain East Conference announced its postseason awards for the 2024 Outdoor Track & Field season. West Liberty’s Ky’Ara Ross was named the 2024 Freshman of the Year, while West Virginia Wesleyan’s Samantha Cash was named the 2024 Field Athlete of the Year. Julie LaFare of the University of Charleston was named the 2024 Track Athlete of the Year while West Virginia Wesleyan’s Kelsey Chambers was named the 2024 Coach of the Year.
 
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Award Winners
Most Valuable Performer: Samantha Cash, West Virginia Wesleyan
Freshman of the Year: Ky’Ara Ross, West Liberty
Field Athlete of the Year: Samantha Cash, West Virginia Wesleyan
Track Athlete of the Year: Julie LaFare, Charleston
Coach of the Year: Kelsey Chambers, West Virginia Wesleyan