The NC Wesleyan Battling Bishops track and field teams turned in a statement performance over the weekend at the Virginia Tech Invitational, one of the most prestigious meets of the indoor season. Competing against elite competition, the Bishops took full advantage of the opportunity to showcase their talent, posting multiple standout finishes, national rankings, and conference honors.
NC Wesleyan opened the meet in impressive fashion on day one, placing three athletes into the finals of the men's 60-meter dash. Freshman Ja'Mario Young led the way with a fourth-place finish, clocking a blazing 6.89. His time currently ranks top 25 nationally. Fellow freshmen Jamel Corey and Chance Bass followed closely behind, with Corey placing sixth in 6.97 and Bass finishing seventh in 6.98, highlighting the depth of the Bishops' sprint group.
In the women's long jump, NaQuayla Stanford delivered a solid performance, placing 14th overall with a jump of 17 feet, 4 inches. The mark moved her into the top spot in the USA South Conference. Londyn Green-Dubose also competed in the event, recording a jump of 17 feet, 0 inches, which ranks second in the conference.
The momentum carried into day two as the Bishops produced several explosive performances across the track and field events. Freshman NaQuayla Stanford turned heads in her first collegiate 400-meter race, running a blistering 55.66 to finish third overall. Her time currently ranks fourth in the NCAA, first in the South Region, and first in the USA South Conference. She was followed by Kamiyah Wooten, who placed fifth with a time of 58.13.
On the men's side, freshman Chance Bass delivered a standout performance in the 200-meter dash, racing to a second-place finish with a time of 21.81. His mark ranks 16th nationally, first in the South Region, and first in the USA South Conference. Ja'Mario Young also competed in the event, finishing seventh overall in 22.11, which ranks him third in the region and second in the conference.
Londyn Green-Dubose continued her strong weekend in the triple jump, placing 11th in a stacked field with a jump of 37 feet, 4 inches. Her mark ranks 12th nationally, third in the South Region, and first in the USA South Conference. Nia Roberts also contributed on the women's side with a solid performance in the shot put, continuing to climb the conference rankings.
Following the meet, NC Wesleyan's performances were recognized at the conference level, as both the men's and women's teams earned USA South Athlete of the Week accolades. Chance Bass was named Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week and Men's Indoor Track Rookie of the Week, while NaQuayla Stanford earned Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors. Londyn Green-Dubose was also recognized as Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week and Rookie of the Week after her standout jumps.
After the meet, Coach Dunn reflected on the team's continued growth and success.
"This men's and women's team can compete and make a statement anywhere we go," said Dunn. "It's all about believing in yourself, your training, and your coaches. I'm very proud of how the teams are coming together as a unit. They are becoming increasingly supportive and encouraging of each other by the day. Man, oh man — my freshmen are tearing it up. NaQuayla in the 400 was a big statement to the country that we are coming as a team. Once Kamiyah and Ti'asia get healthy and back at full strength, I can't imagine how great this women's team will be. Londyn did well in the jumps and is progressing nicely. Nia Roberts did well in the shot put and is climbing up in the ranks. We had five ladies break eight seconds in the 60 meters, which is crazy — they are ranked first through fifth in the conference. The men's team also has four guys under seven seconds in the 60 meters. Chance truly made a statement in the 200, and Ja'Mario is excelling every meet, making the top five in the finals the last two meets. We have a young team full of promise and are fearless."
NC Wesleyan will look to carry the momentum forward as the indoor season continues, with the Battling Bishops establishing themselves as a force both in the conference and on the national stage.
