Track and field men win C-USA Championship, women finish third

Charlotte 49ers men's track and field team
Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The Charlotte 49ers men's track and field team broke the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field meet record in the 4x400 relay with a time of 3.11.01, clinching the 2018 C-USA Indoor Track and Field Men's Championship title Sunday, Feb. 18, at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

"For the men, UTSA had a great meet and were closing on us, but we held them off and then poured it on in the 3K and 4x4," Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Bob Olesen said. "Our balanced approach worked well as we scored in 15 of 17 events and won the team title with just one individual event winner."

Charlotte took five of the top 11 spots in the men's 3K event.

Mihret Coulter finished second, while Tom Nobles crossed the line fourth. Zack Marchinko registered a seventh-place finish, while William Conner was 10th. Todd Gunzenhauser placed 11th.

The women finished with 90 points in third place. Middle Tennessee won the women's title, while Southern Miss took runner-up honors.

"The women were projected third, 20 points behind Southern Miss, but they finished just 3.5 points behind the Lady Eagles, so great meet for the ladies," Olesen said. "The future looks strong as well with us earning both genders' Freshman of the Year awards."

Olesen was named the Men's C-USA Coach of the Year. This marks the 19th such award in his career, with his previous 18 coming in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Olesen now has five Indoor Coach of the Year awards and seven total on the men's side. He has 11 Women's Coach of the Year awards, including five indoor honors.

"I'd like to thank the athletes and staff for their hard work and our administration, parents and fans for their great support," Olesen said.

Click here for the 2018 final results.