LANDOVER, Md., - February 16, 2012 – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) completed day one of the Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Md.
On the women’s side, Florida A&M took the lead heading into day two with 20 points. The defending MEAC champion Hampton Lady Pirates followed in second with 16 points while Norfolk State tallied 14 points.
Bethune-Cookman’s Kadian Dunkley captured the gold in the 5,000m run with a record breaking time of 18.11.99. The previous mark of 18:36.39 was set by Howard’s Ashley Hodges in 2011. Florida A&M took home second and third place honors, respectively with Chandelic Jackson (18:36.93) and Nadine Mulvany (18:37.04).
NSU’s Champagne Bell won the long jump with a 6.17m (20.03.00 ft.). North Carolina A&T’s Shakia Forbes finished in second with a 5.85m (19-02.50 ft.) while Hampton’s Teiara Denmark was third with a 5.77m (18-11.25 ft.) leap.
On the men’s side, the reigning MEAC men’s indoor track and field champion Norfolk State Spartans tallied 36 points with two events scored. North Carolina A&T is second with 12 points, followed by Maryland Eastern Shore in third with 11 points. Florida A&M and Coppin State rounded out the top five with six and five points, respectively.
NSU’s Josef Tessema, the 2011 MEAC Cross Country Outstanding Performer, won the 5,000m run with a season-best time of 14:47.74. Teammate Philemon Kimutai was second in 14:59.75 and FAMU’s Shuaib Winters finished in third with a time of 15:00.56.
The championships continue tomorrow with the men's heptathlon at 9 a.m. Other field events on Friday's slate include the women’s pentathlon, men’s and women’s high jump, and men’s and women’s weight throw. The student-athletes return to the track to compete in the men’s and women’s 800m. Semifinals of the men’s and women’s 60m hurdle, 60m dash and 400m dash will also take place during day two’s action.
The competition concludes on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. with the men’s and women’s shot put and pole vault, and the men’s and women’s triple jump. Running events begin at 1 p.m. with the men’s and women’s mile run. Rounding out the evening's events will be the men's and women's 4x400m relay race at 3:40 p.m.
Admission for the Indoor Track and Field Championships is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens beginning on Friday, February 17. Tickets are available at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex.