ATHENS, W.Va. – During the holiday season, the Concord University Sports Information Department will be unveiling the top moments, games and storylines from the past year in Concord Athletics in countdown form.
From the top games, All-American recognition, NCAA Tournament appearances and more we hope you enjoy a look back at Concord Athletics over the last 365 days.
Only one athlete can be declared as the fastest man in the Mountain East Conference. It's a title that goes to the winner of the men's 100-meter dash on the track, and in 2024 Concord and
Gerard Hearst was able to claim the distinction as Hearst sprinted his way to an MEC Championship at the end of April.
Hearst's MEC Championship is number four in the best of 2024 for Concord Athletics.
The Lincolnton, Georgia native entered the championship meet having posted the fastest time in the MEC during the spring outdoor track season as he ran 10.61 seconds at Lee University in early April.
Hearst showed his credentials as he won his preliminary heat of the 100-meters at the MEC Championships in a time of 10.63 seconds.
The next day Hearst ran the exact time which was .01 second better than West Virginia Wesleyan's Taiwo Babawale-Thropp. It was a redemption race for Hearst who fielded a top five time in the Atlantic Region in 2023 of 10.59 seconds, but finished a disappointing seventh in the 100-meters at the 2023 MEC Championships.
The dash by Hearst marked the first time in men's track & field program history that Concord has had the conference champion in the 100-meters. Additionally, Hearst was the only team or individual conference champion for Concord in 2024.
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