MOREHEAD, Ky. – Morehead State senior
Kaylyn Holman, and freshmen
Sam Afari and
Kalynn Pease have been named to the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Watch List. It is the second year the league has recognized individuals in this manner. Each OVC school was eligible to have one individual placed on the lists for Male Track, Male Field, Female Track and Female Field.
"These athletes have been looking good in their training and should have great seasons ahead of them. Some of them have already been honored with 'Freshman Athletes of the Week' (honors)," MSU head coach
Clay Dixon said. "We are deep, too. I think we have a few others that could be athletes to watch out for."
Holman was chosen as MSU's representative for female track athletes.
Last year at the OVC indoor Championships, Holman finished 11th in the mile in 5:18.60 and ran a leg of the ninth-place distance medley relay squad that covered the course in 12:57.74. Holman's performance is the best for an individual returning this year. Through MSU's two indoor meets this season, the Crothersville, Ind., native competed in the 3,000-meter run at the Marshall Opener, where she placed third in 10:49.56, and the mile at the Marshall Alumni Classic, where she followed by taking 13th in 5:18.90. Both marks currently rank as the 16th best in the OVC this winter.
"With this being my last season, I am honored to have made it onto the Watch List. Being listed among the best athletes in the conference is huge motivation to continue putting in hard work and staying consistent," she said. "My goals for this season are to race at a high level but also be the best athlete I can be in order to help my team, especially when it comes to (the) OVC (Championships). Coming off of outdoor season last year and being able to score, I would like to continue that momentum and be a contender for the podium."
Afari was the Eagles' pick for the Male Track Athlete to Watch. The West Chester, Ohio, native has competed in three races over MSU's two meets. The highlight of the group was his 200-meter dash performance at the Marshall Alumni Classic in which he posted a 21.75, the then-55th fastest time in the nation. He placed third in that race. He also was a member of the fifth-place 4x400-meter relay that finished in 3:35.48. Afari began the year by running the 300-meter dash at the Marshall Opener, taking fifth in 34.94, setting both a meet and an MSU record at the distance. He also ran the anchor leg of the 4x400m, which finished fourth in 3:28.18. In the OVC, Afari's 200m time is second best, while his top mark in the 4x400m is seventh. The league does not rank 300m performances. He currently ranks 147th in Division I in the 200m.
"It's an honor to be on the Watch List. I'm grateful for the recognition and my hard work and prayers being recognized," he said. "My focus is staying healthy, trusting Jesus and the work, (and) competing at a high level every time I step on the track. I'm excited to see how far this season can go."
A native of nearby Flemingsburg, Ky., Pease made an instant impact by setting a school record in the long jump on her first attempt, a distance that bettered the previous mark by nearly one foot.
She is MSU's selection for Female Field athlete. In addition to her second-place long jump of 19'04.00", she also placed sixth in the 200m in 25.47, which is fourth best in MSU history, and ran a leg of the 4x400m relay that placed fourth in 4:12.27. Because of an injury she sustained in the Marshall Opener, Pease did not compete in the Marshall Alumni Classic. Her long jump mark continues to sit atop the OVC, while her 200m time is eighth in the league. She is 109th in the long jump among Division I athletes.
"Being named to the Watch List is an honor, and I'm grateful for the recognition especially as a freshman. It motivates me to keep working and improving to stay on the Watch List," she said. "This season, my focus is on staying healthy, competing at a high level and contributing to the team in any way I can."
Based on their top performances, Pease was named the OVC Female Freshman of the Week on December 17, with Afari receiving the male honor on January 14. In addition,
Kennedi Alford was named OVC co-Female Freshman of the Week on January 14.
Morehead State did not have an individual recognized on the Male Field Watch List.
In addition, 19 champions from the 2025 indoor OVC meet are returning this year and each were included among the highlighted individuals to watch in addition to the formal lists.
Last year was the first time the OVC created a Watch List and MSU's representatives were
Jacob Vogelpohl for Male Track and
Lucy Singleton for Female Track. Both graduated in 2025.
The OVC indoor championships will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 24 and Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center in Louisville, Ky. MSU's next meet is the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic, which will take place on Friday at the same facility.
Returning OVC Indoor Champions
Women
Chanel Honeywell, Lindenwood
60M
Hadessa Austin, Southern Indiana
3000M, 5000M
Anna Thomason, Southeast Missouri
60M Hurdles, Pentathlon
Southeast Missouri –
Sydney Burdine,
Alaina Lester
4x400M Relay
Southern Indiana –
Addison Applegate,
Abrielle Richard,
Emily Rempe
Distance Medley
Brianna Dixon, Southeast Missouri
High Jump
Clara Billing, Southeast Missouri
Pole Vault
Bailie Hux, Southeast Missouri
Weight Throw
Men
Daniel Lacy, Eastern Illinois
400M
Devin Stevens, Little Rock
800M
Tanner Emerson, SIUE
3000M
Alex Nolan, Southern Indiana
5000M
Tennessee State –
Quest Agee,
Oladipo Akomolafe,
Joshua McClendon
4x400 Relay
Little Rock –
Shane Fisher,
Devin Stevens
Distance Medley
Sullivan Gleason, Southeast Missouri
Pole Vault
Men's Indoor Track Watch List
Shawn Lacy, Eastern Illinois
Colter Maya, Little Rock
Sam Afari, Morehead State
Marcus Gordon, Southeast Missouri
Konrad Sacha, SIUE
Dominick Beine, Southern Indiana
Caleb Joshway, Tennessee State
David Stukey, UT Martin
Logan Beckmier, Western Illinois
Men's Indoor Field Watch List
Sam Bradbury, Eastern Illinois
Morcellous Harris, Little Rock
Marshall Swadley, Southeast Missouri
Grant Milbrath, SIUE
Korbin Brown, Tennessee State
Hank Fisher, UT Martin
Cage Davison, Western Illinois
Women's Indoor Track Watch List
Brenda Torres, Eastern Illinois
Chanel Honeywell, Lindenwood
Takia Palmer, Little Rock
Kaylyn Holman, Morehead State
Nova Ojutkangas, Southeast Missouri
Christy Muldrew, SIUE
Ellie Hall, Southern Indiana
Serenity Harry, Tennessee State
Hannah Little, Tennessee Tech
Eliana Oquendo, UT Martin
Maleigha Huston, Western Illinois
Women's Indoor Field Watch List
Abby Venhaus, Eastern Illinois
Christelle Barafundi, Lindenwood
Brooklyn Marcee, Little Rock
Kalynn Pease, Morehead State
Molly Grohmann, Southeast Missouri
Zaria Searcy, SIUE
Olivia Allison, Tennessee State
Ally Beneke, Tennessee Tech
Meg Wiginton, UT Martin
Nakieta Kessling, Western Illinois
