RESULTS
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Queens University of Charlotte men's and women's track & field teams swept the 2022 South Atlantic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships this afternoon for the fourth straight time. Queens' women, who are ranked 12
th in the nation, totaled 160 points to finish ahead of Lenoir-Rhyne (154.5 pts.) while the 17
th-ranked men totaled 160 points to finish ahead of Limestone (89.5 pts.).
"It was a great weekend for both teams," said Queens director of track & field and cross country
Jake Krolick who led the Royals to a pair of titles in his first semester with the program. "The conference meet is a great opportunity for the team to come together and give everyone a chance to contribute to a team championship. I saw great efforts all weekend and more importantly constant support for teammates before, during, and after each event. Most had numerous events so that support kept everyone motivated as they fatigued through the weekend."
Out of 17 events scored, the Royals won eight on the women's side and seven on the men's.
The Royals swept the multi events as
Melanie Welsing took the pentathlon title with a score of 3,541 and
Niklas Klei took the heptathlon title with a score of 5,044. Both totals were meet records.
Queens also swept the men's and women's distance medley relays with the women clocking a time of 12:17.36 and the men recording a time of 10:18.01. Both times were meet records.
On the track, Welsing won the women's 60-meter hurdles setting a new meet record with a time of 8.70 seconds. She accounted for 40 of the Royals' team points after competing in six events.
In addition, Queens' distance crew dominated, sweeping the 800, mile, 3,000, and 5,000 men's and women's races. The Royals also set new meet records in each of the races they won.
Fatima Alanis led the women's group winning the mile, 3,000, and 5,000 while
Jan Lukas Becker won the 3,000 and 5,000 for the men.
Off the track,
Lucy Walliker took the high jump title while
Esma Pajt won the weight throw title for the women. On the men's side,
Simon Rey won the pole vault and
Martin Knauer won the shot put. Walliker, Rey, and Knauer each set new meet records with their marks.
"We had a 4-5 national level marks that should have also earned a few more spots at nationals in two weeks, Krolick added. "Those who will be going are all in a great place. This weekend really showed we are ready for national-level competition. The rest of the group will get some rest and then we will continue the process of building towards outdoor.
It was a great first championship weekend as coach here and I wouldn't have wanted it to go any differently. Glad to continue the tradition!"
Following the meet, Alanis was named SAC Track Athlete of the Meet and Freshman of the Meet. Additionally, Walliker was named SAC Women's Field Athlete of the Meet after accounting for 32 team points across five events. On the men's side, Klei was named SAC Field Athlete of the Meet and Rey earned Freshman of the Meet honors.
Krolick was named 2022 SAC Men's and Women's Coach of the Year.
Up next for the Royals is the NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships scheduled to take place in Pittsburgh, Kan., Mar. 11-12.
Be sure to follow the Royals on Instagram @queens_tf_xc and on Twitter @QueensTrack1 for the latest news and updates surrounding the programs. Additionally, follow Queens Athletics on all social media platforms by searching @QueensAthletics.
