WEEKLY NOTES
• North Carolina A&T men's track & field is currently ranked 30th nationally in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA DIVISION I men's outdoor track & field national rankings. The Aggies earned 71.3 points based on their performance at the annual Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, N.C. last week as they jumped 28 spots from the previous week's poll.
• It’s the month of April and for the second straight year, the track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State was blazing hot during the Aggie Invitational. Last year, North Carolina A&T’s Christopher Belcher ran a 9.99 during the same event and used it as a springboard towards a memorable postseason performance. This year, sophomore sprinter Jaylan Mitchell took full advantage of the spotlight as he clocked a 10.00 to move into the top spot nationally amongst NCAA Division I performers. Aggie junior sprinter and hurdler Kayla White also made headlines as she ranks 12th nationally after running an 11.21 in the prelims of the 100 at the invitational. White posted a time of 12.92 in the 100-meter hurdles and now ranks eighth nationally in that category. In total, North Carolina A&T State combined to post nine MEAC-best marks during the meet.
• North Carolina A&T State’s Jaylan Mitchell is the top sprinter in the 100-meters (10.00) while Bethune-Cookman’s Kareem Fair ranks 18th. North Carolina A&T State’s Rodney Rowe is tied for 13th in the 200 (20.58) while North Carolina A&T State’s Trevor Stewart stands at 19th (46.38) in the 400 while Michael Dickson is fifth in the 110-meter hurdles (13.57) followed by teammate Todd Townsend (13.72) as he’s tied for ninth. Jaelen Williams of Hampton is seventh (50.73) in the 400-meter hurdles.
• North Carolina A&T State ranks seventh (39:15) and 19th (3:07.23) in the mile relay.
• Norfolk State’s Jacob Milton currently ranks 14th (7-2.25) in the high jump to round out the field performers. Kayla White of North Carolina A&T State ranks 12th in the 100-meters (11.21) and eighth in the 100-meter hurdles (12.92). Bethune-Cookman’s Quamecha Morrison is tied for fifth (5-11.5) in the high jump while BCU’s Monae’ Nichols is tied for 16th in the long jump (20-8).
• North Carolina A&T State looks to repeat as champions on the men’s side as they’re looking to win its second straight for the first time since a three-peat from 1994-96. The Aggies have never won consecutive titles on the women’s side as they’re also looking to repeat.
• Bethune-Cookman has been consistent in posting top marks this season and has a strong chance to make a return to the top after winning three straight titles from 2014-16 on the men’s side. BCU has never won a MEAC Championship in women’s track & field.
• Morgan State has quietly put together strong individual performances along with Hampton on both sides.
• Despite the unfavorable weather that has been torturing the east coast this year, the week of April 13-15 was one to remember as 19 top marks were set in the MEAC led by nine marks at the Aggie Invitational in Greensboro, N.C.
• North Carolina A&T State will once again host the MEAC Track & Field Championships at the Irwin Belk Track inside Aggie Stadium. The university will host the event for the 11th consecutive year as the event runs from May 3-5.
• On Saturday, May 5, the afternoon session of the 2018 MEAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship finals will broadcast live on ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN app at 1 p.m.