Women's Track and Field 3/21/2026 6:59:00 PM

Highlanders Set Several School Records, Turn in Strong Showing at Big South vs. SoCon Challenge

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The Radford Highlanders track and field teams made an impact and then some in the first-ever Big South Conference vs. Southern Conference Challenge meet, hosted by UNC Asheville on Friday and Saturday. The Big South outscored the SoCon 363-332 to claim victory in the men's events, while the SoCon was victorious 380-296 in the women's events.

"This was a great start to the season for both the men and the women," Director of Track & Field Shelli Sayers added after the meet. "Sometimes the transition to outdoor can be tricky, but we picked up right where we left off. I love scored track meets. Excited for the men to contribute to the conference title for the Big South."

THE BASICS
Final Results – Men: Big South 363, Southern 332 (Radford 16 points)
Final Results – Women: Southern 380, Big South 296 (Radford 109 points)
Meet: Big South vs. SoCon Challenge
Location: Karl Straus Track, Asheville, N.C.

NOTABLES

Jaelynn Joiner got the outdoor season off with a bang, breaking a 20-year-old school record in the long jump. The freshman's leap of 6.22 meters (20'5") was almost a full inch further than the previous school record set by Semelia Brandon (5.98 meters) in 2006. Joiner won the event, with second place posting a best of 6.00 meters. It's also the third-best performance in Big South history and first long jump of over 6.20 meters since the 2023 season.
The women's 4x400 meter relay team of Raichelle Cornelius, Jordan Jackson, Jaslyne Robinson, and Jeylah Hamrick broke a school record to win the event with a time of 3:42.43. That mark was six seconds faster than second-place Western Carolina and almost four seconds better than the school record set last season.
Robinson scored the fifth-most points by any athlete at the meet. In addition to contributing to the 4x400 meter relay, she won the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1:00.12, the second all-time performance in Radford history. The senior also placed second in the 100-meter hurdles, with her time of 14.00 seconds being the third best in Radford history.
Cornelius won the 400 meters with a time of 55.91 seconds, besting her teammates Jackson (4^th with a 56.46) and Grace Onwi (6^th). The senior's time was the fifth best in program history in the event.
Makayla Nelson earned some huge points with a third-place finish in the 100 meters with a time of 12.16 seconds. Her teammate Janaya Moore placed seventh, setting a new PR in the event with a time of 12.23. Moore also led the Highlanders with a fourth-place finish in the 200 meters (24.81 seconds).
Jaylen Rosser placed third individually in the hammer throw with a mark of 44.20 meters, earning the Highlanders and the Big South six points in the event.
Mya Rosser and Grace Crowe each made the finals in discuss throw. Rosser placed fourth with a toss of 38.66 meters (126'10") and Crowe placed eighth in the event.
Tyrique Taylor took home third place in the discuss throw with a toss of 45.46 meters (149'1"). He was the top finisher out of Big South competitors. His throw is the sixth best in program history.
Andrew Picataggi cracked the podium in the long jump with a best of 1.96 meters. He was also the top finisher among Big South competitors. The leap is the sixth best performance in program history.
Salomon Alexis posted the fourth-best triple jump performance in Radford history with a mark of 14.16 meters. The sophomore earned a fifth-place finish in the event.

UP NEXT
Radford Track & Field will be back in action in North Carolina next week at the Davidson Relays. The action begins on Friday and concludes on Saturday from the home of the Wildcats.

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