Track Takes Third Place at 2026 AAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships

Black Mountain, North Carolina- The Brenau track and field amassed 134.5 points to place third overall and sophomore Madison Kitson was named Most Valuable Player at the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) championships this weekend.

Kitson continued to shine in her sophomore campaign by earning second place in both the 200 meters (25.53) and the triple jump (11.46m) after winning the long jump and 400 meters on Friday. She also added another win in the 4x400 relay, joining Kyla Laurent, Ja'Leyah Wongus, and Kamryn Chambliss to hold off Columbia (S.C.) College's relay team by .01 seconds to take the title. 

On the final day of competition, the Golden Tigers had some strong showings as Wongus continued her strong inaugural championship performance by earning second place in the 400 hurdles (1:05.64). Wongus also added a 13th place finish in the 100 hurdles (16.79). Chambliss also had a strong individual showing in the 200 with a fourth place finish. 

The Golden Tigers continued to secure top-five finishes as junior Jerrica Bryant placed fifth in the discus, sophomore Gabrielle Grant placed fifth overall in the 100 hurdles (15.96), and sophomore Tatyana Denis leaped to a height of 1.53 meters in the high jump to take fifth as well. 

Other notable performances from the Golden Tigers include: 

Averie Akin - 11th place, 5000 meters, 20:13.09;

Emelia Askew- 19th, 200 meters, 26.81;

Kendall Goetzman- eighth place, 3000 meter steeplechase, 13:35.56; 

Lanah Harbin- 23rd place, 200 meters, 27.20;

Taylor Knox - 11th place, 100 hurdles, 16.60;  

Madi McMahan- 12th place, 3000 meter steeplechase, 14:34.23;

Jasmine Ramsey - eighth place, discus, 35.39;

Milligan (Tn.) won the overall women's team title with 155.5 points, while Columbia (S.C.) narrowly edged the Golden Tigers with 137 points. Montreat (N.C.) posted 123 points and Columbia International (S.C.) earned 77 points to round out the top five team finishers.