Track and field is officially back in session, and Carolina is wasting no time getting athletes on the track. The Tar Heels are kicking off their indoor season this weekend with split squads heading to three different meets, each offering a unique early-season test.
Heptathlon Spotlight: Max Stakun-Pickering Opens at Liberty
Max Stakun-Pickering will be the first Tar Heel to compete this season, taking on the heptathlon at the Liberty Kick Off in Lynchburg, Va. on Thursday, December 5. The action starts at 1:30 p.m. EST, and fans can follow along with live results via Blue Ridge Timing.
This meet marks the beginning of a long indoor season, and for Stakun-Pickering, it’s an early chance to set the tone in a grueling, seven-event test of athletic versatility. The heptathlon demands a rare blend of speed, strength, and endurance - from the 60 meters to the pole vault to the 1000 meters - and it’s a proving ground for athletes who can do it all. For Carolina, seeing how Stakun-Pickering stacks up early could offer a glimpse into how the team’s multi-event group is shaping up this year.
Distance Crew Heads North for Sharon Colyear-Danville Opener
Meanwhile, a group of Carolina distance runners will head to Boston for the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener on Saturday, December 6. This meet has become one of the premier early-season stages for collegiate distance talent, and it will be streamed live on FloTrack, with real-time results available through Lancer Timing.
This event carries a bit of extra buzz for the Tar Heels, thanks to what happened here last year. It was at this very meet in 2024 that Ethan Strand delivered a performance for the ages, clocking a 7:30.15 in the 3000 meters - a time that not only won the race but obliterated the NCAA record by a full six seconds. That run didn’t just put Strand on the map - it redefined what was possible at the collegiate level.
His record-setting performance earned him both ACC and National Athlete of the Week honors, and it was just the beginning of a season that saw him claim the national title and eventually be named National Men’s Track Athlete of the Year. Strand became the first student-athlete in NCAA history to break both the 3000m and mile records in the same season, a feat that etched his name among the sport’s elite.
Back Home: Early Action at the JDL Early Bird Invitational
Closer to home, a group of Tar Heels will compete at the JDL Early Bird Invitational in Winston-Salem over the weekend of December 6-7. This meet offers a chance for younger or developing athletes to get competition reps early in the season, and often serves as a launching pad for breakout performances.
A Look Back at a Championship Season
Last season was one to remember for Carolina. The Tar Heels brought home two national titles during the indoor campaign, with Ethan Strand and Makayla Paige leading the charge.
Paige dominated the 800 meters, winning the national championship and earning the title of ACC Indoor Women’s Track Athlete of the Year. Her combination of tactical racing and closing speed made her a force on the national stage.
Together, Strand and Paige set the bar high - not just for individual success, but for what Carolina track and field can accomplish as a program. As the new season begins, the question isn’t just who will step up next - it’s how high this team can climb.
With athletes competing coast to coast this weekend, the Tar Heels are officially back in action. Whether it’s a multi-event battle in Virginia, distance fireworks in Boston, or early-season reps in Winston-Salem, the foundation for another memorable season is being laid right now.