The ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Boston ended on Saturday with four All-ACC honorees from North Carolina.
One of those honorees for UNC first-year Nicole Greene from Ponte Vedra, Fla. Greene, whose best jump came in at 1.80 meters, earned a second-place finish in the women's high jump.
Although some athletes would be satisfied with a team-high second-place finish, Greene is not one of them.
“It was a really good experience, but I didn’t like how I performed,” she said. “But it was still OK. I’m really happy with my team, especially the women’s team. They did really good and we have a lot of improving to do, but still, we have a really strong, young group on the women’s side.”
Coach Harlis Meaders had nothing but praise for Greene, calling her the most decorated athlete on the women’s team this season.
“I think she’s ranked number 10 in the country right now,” Meaders said. “And for a freshman to do that while at a conference meet, and while at the ACC championships, is really a phenomenal job.”
Despite having only spent one semester at UNC thus far, Greene doesn’t seem to be affected by the transition from high school to college athletics.
“I wasn’t expecting this,” she said. “Everyone says that freshman year, your transition year, it’s OK if you don’t hit your personal record from high school or if you’re not performing as well. But I’m pretty happy with what I’ve been doing, even though I’d like to do better.”
Upon hearing Meaders’ praise, Greene said she felt honored by her coach’s comments, but remained humble, citing the improvements she still has to make.
