GREENVILLE, S.C. – Janara Bryant of the University of Mount Olive has been selected as the Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year for the 2024-25 academic year.
Bryant had an outstanding year for Mount Olive as she was selected Conference Carolinas Indoor Field Athlete of the Year as she earned three all-conference honors during the indoor meet. She finished third in the high jump and won both the long jump and triple jump, setting an indoor conference championship record with a triple jump of 12.26 meters. She qualified for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field Championships in the triple jump, finishing sixth and earning first team All-American honors.
“I'm truly humbled and honored to receive the Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year award,” Bryant said. “All glory to God for blessing me with the strength, perseverance, and opportunities throughout this journey. I'm so thankful for my teammates, coaches, family, and everyone who has supported me along the way.”
During the outdoor season, Bryant was named Conference Carolinas Outdoor Freshman of the Year after winning both the long jump and triple jump. She set the Conference Carolinas Outdoor Championship record with a triple jump of 13.10 meters. Earlier in the year, Bryant set the Conference Carolinas triple jump record with a leap of 13.27 meters. That leap came at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field Championships, giving her a runner-up finish and a first team All-America honor.
“This is the perfect way to cap off the greatest season I have ever seen a freshman put together,” Mount Olive head track & field coach Earl Graves said. “As the season went on she gained confidence and never waivered during adversity. Janara embodies everything that it means to be a Trojan and a Conference Carolinas athlete.”
Bryant was selected Conference Carolinas Indoor Field Athlete of the Week twice and Conference Carolinas Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week three times. She also garnered Conference Carolinas Women’s Track & Field Freshman of the Month twice.
The Athlete of the Year Award (one male and one female each year) is the most outstanding student-athlete for the year in the league. Per Conference Carolinas Directors of Athletics vote, nominations will be accepted from member institutions to only include conference-sponsored sports and all nomination information, statistics and accomplishments are solely based on athletically-related criteria.
Conference Carolinas Female Athlete of the Year Winners
2024-25 – Janara Bryant, Mount Olive
2023-24 – Lauryn Taylor, Francis Marion
2022-23 – Mycherie Onwuzuruike, Southern Wesleyan
2021-22 – Shanika Peterkin, Barton
2020-21 – Jharna Alston, Emmanuel
2019-20 – Shanika Peterkin, Barton
2018-19 – Leah Hanle, Mount Olive
2017-18 – Shannon Sisk, Limestone
2016-17 – Jasmine Kearse, Limestone
2015-16 – Jasmine Kearse, Limestone
2014-15 – Alicia Brookins, Limestone
2013-14 – Nyeshea Willie, Barton
2012-13 – Kay Schellenberg, Belmont Abbey
2011-12 – Ashley Alderin-Fleagle, Limestone
2010-11 – Racquel Prager, Limestone
2009-10 – Tanya Zeferjahn, Queens
2008-09 – Lauryn Wise, Limestone
2007-08 – Samantha Mitchell, Mount Olive
2006-07 – Deidra Langston, Anderson
2005-06 – Keauna Vinson, Barton
2004-05 – LaShonda Chiles, Anderson
2003-04 – Tina Gonsalves, St. Andrews
2002-03 – Jennifer Potts, Longwood
2001-02 – Shemkia Reid, Barton
2000-01 – Jen Calderwood, Lees-McRae
1999-00 – Angela Placona, Belmont Abbey
1998-99 – Missy Paterson, Coker
1997-98 – Missy Paterson, Coker
1996-97 – Missy Paterson, Coker
1995-96 – Staci Albright, Coker