Trojans' Lafond adds another event to his NCAA resume

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on April 8, 2013 1:47 PM

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DURHAM -- Mount Olive College freshman Dylan Lafond is making sure the Trojans are well-represented in the NCAA Division II Men's Track and Field Championships next month in Colorado.

Lafond, for the third time in as many weeks, recorded a provisional mark, this time in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during the Duke Invitational this weekend.

On Friday, Lafond set a school record in the 1,500 meters with a time of 3 minutes, 55.31 seconds. He had to overcome a fall in the water pit during the steeplechase and still managed to log a school-best 9:06.67.

Nine MOC runners set personal bests during the two-day event that included mostly Division I schools. Chris Menjares complimented Lafond in the steeplechase with a personal-best time of 9:56.55.

Caleb Henderson posted personal bests of 49.13 seconds in the 400 meters and 6.89 meters in the long jump. Nick McAdam (long jump), Scottie Harris (triple jump), Stedmond Hampton (sprints), Ronnie Sturgill (5,000 meters), Mike Munoz (5,000), Nick Springston (10,000 meters) and Cirilo Perez (10,000) each collected a personal record.

The Trojans return to action Saturday at the Chanticleer Classic, which is hosted by Coastal Carolina University.

Women's track

DURHAM -- Four Mount Olive College athletes set personal bests during the Duke Invitational this weekend.

Runners Megan Bucek and Amber Thompson each set a personal-best time in the 1,500 and 5,000 meters, respectively. Charity Grimes and Char'De Washington recorded personal-best marks in the discus and hammer throw, respectively.

The Trojans return to action Saturday at the Chanticleer Classic.

Men's tennis

WINGATE -- Brahm Moolman earned the match-tying point at No. 6 singles, but Wingate turned back Mount Olive, 5-4, in a non-conference men's tennis match Sunday afternoon.

The contest was a rematch of the first round of the 2012 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional.

Mount Olive (12-3 overall) led 2-1 after doubles play, but Wingate (14-8) won three of the first four singles matches to take the lead.

The Trojans' Akio Mariano posted a 6-2, 6-4 win at No. 4 singles, while Moolman posted a 6-3, 6-3 win to tie the overall match at 4-all.

Stan Roffe rebounded from a 6-4 loss in the first set at No. 5 singles with a 6-4 win in the second set. Roffe was within 4-3 in the third set before Wingate's Ryan Forbes won the final two games to give the Bulldogs the win.

The Trojans, ranked No. 50 nationally, wrap up regular-season play this week with a pair of Conference Carolinas road matches. MOC travels to Coker on Thursday with first place in the conference standings on the line. The Trojans visit Limestone next Sunday.

Women's tennis

WINGATE -- Mount Olive had its three-match winning streak come to an end during a 7-2, non-conference loss to in-state foe Wingate University on Sunday afternoon.

Francesca Ceppi and Roxanne Chouinard each posted a straight-set singles win for the Trojans, who fell to 9-6 overall.

MOC travels to Coker on Thursday and concludes regular-season play next Sunday at Limestone.