NORFOLK, Va. – Hampton’s Chidi Okezie and Breana Norman were chosen as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s and Women’s Track Athletes of the Week. Bethune-Cookman’s Kenneth Fisher and North Carolina A&T’s Nakita Gray were named the MEAC Men’s and Women’s Field Athletes of the Week, the conference announced on Thursday.
Okezie (Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., Sprints/Relays) achieved IC4A qualification in the 200m and as a member of the 4x400 relay team. Okezie placed first in the 200m, with a time of 21.89, and the 4x400 relay team finished first, with a time of 3:17.31 as the Pirates took second at the Navy Quad Invitational.
Norman (Sr., Virginia Beach, Va., Sprints/Hurdles) swept the 60m dash and 60m hurdles at the Father Diamond Invitational. Norman, who achieved ECAC qualification in both events, finished the 60m dash with a time of 7.54 and in the 60m hurdles in 8.54.
Fisher (Fr., East Point, Ga., Long Jump) opened his collegiate career at the University of South Carolina Indoor Open #1 by winning the long jump at 7.25m (23-09.50 ft.), third in the conference standings and ties for 21st in the NCAA.
Gray (So., Fort Washington, Md., High Jump) won the high jump at the Wake Forest Invitational. Gray, who ranks ninth nationally, leaped 5-10 ft. to earn the top spot.
Other Top Performers:
Roshel Bygraves (NCAT) notched sixth-place in the 200m and 400m at the Wake Forest Invitational.
Angelo Cabrera (BCU) placed eighth at the University of South Carolina Indoor Open #1 in the 55m, with a time of 6.55.
Melissa Caddle (CSU) won the 400m, with a time of 54.57, at the New York City Gotham Cup.
Jori Cook (Howard) grabbed third in the 60m hurdles at the Father Diamond Invitational.
Chris Crawford (NSU) finished fourth, at the Penn State Relays, in the long jump with a leap of 6.79m (22-3.5 ft.).
DeAndra Daniels (CSU) placed first in the high jump at 1.83m (5-10 ft.) and eighth in the long jump at 15-11 ft., at the Father Diamond Invitational.
Shalanda Grier (Hampton) captured first in the triple jump at the Father Diamond Invitational, with a leap of 10.90m (35-9.25 ft.)
Christian Harrison (NCAT) finished second at the Wake Forest Invitational in the 800m, with a time of 1:52.99.
Kiara Howell (NSU) notched a season-best throw of 14.29m (46-10.75 ft.) in the shot put at the Penn State Relays.
Tristie Johnson (BCU) logged a third-place finish in the 55m, with a time of 7.10, at the University of South Carolina Indoor #1 Open.
Jared Kerr (UMES) won the long jump, at 7.02m, and the triple jump (14.65m), at the Navy Quad Invitational.
Nakia Linson (FAMU) finished in the top 10 in the 60m dash and 200m at the UAB Blazer Invite.
Annis Mars (UMES) placed first at the Navy Women’s Indoor Invitational in the 500m, with a time of 1:17.21.
Troy Pollard (FAMU) finished with a time of 45.41 in the 400m, and ran the first left of the 4x400 relay at the UAB Blazer Invite.
Desiree Richardson (BCU) won the weight throw at the University of South Carolina Indoor Open #1, with a toss of 13.79m (45-03.00 ft.).
Dillon Simon (UMES) set the school record in the weight throw, with a distance of 17.92m, at the Navy Quad Invitational.
Keenan Smith (NCAT) jumped 50-1.25 in the triple jump to place first at the Wake Forest Invitational.
Wallace Spencer (Howard) captured the 60m dash, with a time of 8.08, and fourth in the 200m (23.07) at the Father Diamond Invitational.
Qua’Nesha Wallace (NSU) set a new personal record in the 200m, with a time of 25.68, at the Penn State Relays.