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University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
ECE Banked is Best Invitational
Bulldogs Post Multiple Event Wins and PRs on Friday at ECE Banked is Best Meet
01.30.2026 | Track and Field
TRYON, N.C. – The UNC Asheville track and field teams turned in a strong performance at the ECE Banked is Best Meet on Friday (Jan. 30), highlighted by multiple event victories, relay success, and a host of personal best performances.
On the men's side, the Bulldogs picked up three individual event wins. Sophomore Shemarr Session captured the men's 200 meters with a season-best time of 21.55, while freshman Kelechi Anyanwu claimed first in the 400 meters, crossing the line in 48.47. Freshman Bennett Moreno also earned a victory in the men's 1000 meters, posting a personal-best 2:28.74.
The women's distance group shined as well, led by sophomore Nikole Baikova, who won the 800 meters in 2:16.34, with teammate Aneta Kucerova close behind in second at 2:16.73. Junior Isabel Richardson added another win for Asheville, taking the women's 3000 meters in 10:09.84.
In the field events, freshman Gregory Schell delivered a standout performance in the men's shot put, placing third with a personal-best throw of 14.44 meters. Junior Jaelyn Arnold continued her strong season with an eighth-place finish in the women's shot put (12.39m) and an eighth-place mark in the women's weight throw (14.24m). Freshman Stephen Pryor added a 12th-place finish in the men's high jump, clearing 1.88 meters.
UNC Asheville's relays were also a highlight of the day. The women's distance medley relay team of Isabel Richardson, Ella Warren, Lily Kelpin, and Aneta Kucerova won the event in 12:33.59, earning a new NCAA Division I qualifying mark. The men's DMR squad of Bennett Moreno, Braelin June, Quinn Jacquez, and Tadiyos Sloan-Westmoreland placed third in 10:32.63, also recording a new Division I mark.
The Bulldogs capped the night with strong performances in the 4x400-meter relays. The men's 'A' team of Kelechi Anyanwu, Ebube Emechebe, DaMarr Harvey, and Shemarr Seassion finished third in 3:21.96, and the 'B' team consisting of Jalice Payton, TyVell Foskey, Jeremiah Louis, and Stephen Pryor finished fifth, winning their heat with a time of 3:29.13. The women's team of Francesca Cergol, Murielle Jeanite, Nikole Baikov, and Zoe Bos placed third in 4:01.03.
UNC Asheville will be back in action at the Darius Dixon Invitational hosted by Liberty University Feb. 13-14.
For full results from today's meet, click here.
Players Mentioned
