CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL
RESULTS
LANDOVER, Md. - The Florida A&M men and Hampton University women lead the pack after the first day of the 2018 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex.
Norfolk State junior Anteneh Girma claimed the first men's championship of the meet as he won the 5,000-meter run in a time of 15:09.79. The win marked a personal-best time for Girma while also marking the first time he has won a title as a collegian on the track. The Florida A&M freshman duo of Festus Kemboi and David Too finished 2-3 as Kemboi completed the run in a time of 15:14.15 while Too crossed the finish line in a time of 15:16.65.
Morgan State senior Lloyd Hylton, the top jumper in the MEAC entering the meet, solidified his position after posting a personal-best jump of 25-5.25 feet to win the long jump. Freshman Daniel Seawright of South Carolina State placed second (24-7.75) followed by Savannah State's Laron James' third-place jump of 24-5.
The men's heptathlon kicked off this year's championship as Jerrick Powell of Hampton leads with 2,908 points after four events. Hampton's Trey Clark won the 60-meter dash in a time of 7.01 while teammate Jerrick Powell claimed the long jump portion of the event with a length of 22-7. Kurt Goodlitt of Morgan State threw 10 feet further than the closest competitor en route to winning the shot put (47-4.25). Hampton’s Desmond Lindsey wrapped up the evening by winning the high jump with a mark of 6-5.
The preliminary round of the men's 200-meter dash also took place as North Carolina A&T State's Rodney Rowe posted the top time (21.60) followed by Coppin State's Joseph Amoah (21.71) and Martin Owusu-Antwi (21.73).
Florida A&M holds an eight-point lead over Norfolk State as the Rattlers closed the day with 18 points. Morgan State ranks second with 11 points followed by Norfolk State's 10 points.
Hampton leads the women’s standings after the first day with 19 points. Bethune-Cookman ranks second with 16, followed by Florida A&M with 15 and defending champion North Carolina A&T State with 14 points.
Florida A&M’s Emmax Fiplagat picked up the first title of the championship meet on Thursday, running a 17:23.48 to take gold in the women’s 5,000-meter run. Hampton took the rest of the podium, with Janet Okeago taking second and Eusila Chepkemei finishing third.
Jonina Brinson of Bethune-Cookman took gold in the women’s long jump, leaping 19 feet, 11.75 inches to win the title.
India Brown of North Carolina A&T State posted the top time in the women’s 200-meter dash prelims, running a 24.27 to win her heat. The Aggies posted three of the top four times: Taliyah Townsend was second with a 24.41 and Kayla White was fourth with a 24.51.
The meet resumes on Friday morning at 9 a.m. as the men’s heptathlon wraps up followed by the women’s pentathlon. The first running event starts at noon with the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles.
Live stats, recaps, photos and other pertinent links are available on MEACSPORTS.com.