SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Belmont Abbey's Abe McNelly has been named Conference Carolinas Men's Indoor Track & Field Freshman of the Month for December, the league office announced today.

In the opening meet of the year, the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-off, the Collegeville, Pa., native posted a mark of 4.40m (14'-5.25") in the pole vault, the best in the conference to date. The height also eclipsed the Conference Carolinas qualifying standard, guaranteeing him a berth at the league championship next month.

Belmont Abbey splits its teams next weekend for the first meet of 2026. Crusaders will compete at both the Winter Invitational in Mill Spring, N.C. on Friday, Jan. 16 and Winston-Salem, N.C. on Saturday, Jan. 17.