NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 16, 2022—Norfolk State junior Kai Cole was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, and Norfolk State senior Malika Pride was selected as Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced today. Norfolk State sophomore Jahquan Christopher was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, while Norfolk State junior Arieana Parker earned Women’s Field Athlete of the Week honors.
Cole (Jr., Alexandria, Va.) set a new personal best in the 200 meters at the Kenneth Giles Invitational this past weekend, running a MEAC-best 20.93 in winning the event. That time is currently 29th in the nation.
Pride (Sr., Stafford, Va.) set a new personal best in the 200 meters at the Kenneth Giles Invitational this past weekend, wrapping up the indoor regular season with a 23.74 to win the event. She currently leads the MEAC and ranks tied for 59th in the nation in that event.
Christopher (So., Norfolk, Va.) broke a program record in the men’s heptathlon at the Kenneth Giles Invitational, racking up 4,545 points in winning the event at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. He won five of the seven events and currently ranks atop the MEAC.
Parker (Jr., Smithfield, Va.) also broke a school record in the Kenneth Giles Invitational this past weekend, winning the weight throw with a MEAC-best mark of 18.54 meters (60 feet, 10 inches). She is nearly a full meter farther than second place in the conference.
Other Top Performers
Latifa Ali (Coppin State) won the 60 meters in a MEAC-best 7.43 at the Kenneth Giles Invitational, while also finishing third in the 200 meters in 23.88.
Randy Serville (Coppin State) won the 400 meters in the Kenneth Giles Invitational in 48.68.
Jessika Gbai (Howard) tied the school record in the 60 meters, running a 7.54 at the Badgers Windy City Invite, while also running a 23.87 in the 200 meters.
Gavin Williams (Howard) was eighth in the mile run at the Badgers Windy City Invite, running a MEAC-best 4:14.10.
Zachary Dillon (Morgan State) won the shot put with a personal-best mark of 16.82 meters at the Kenneth Giles Invitational.
Rachel Field (Morgan State) came in third in the 3,000 meters at the Kenneth Giles Invitational with a time of 11:24.69.
Tia Jackson (Morgan State) was second in the long jump at 5.80 meters at the Kenneth Giles Invitational.
Olivia Andrews (North Carolina Central) ran a 59.46 to win the 400 meters at the Champion College Team Challenge.
Joidon Boddie (North Carolina Central) leaped 11.46 meters to win the triple jump at the Champion College Team Challenge.
Marvin Jones (North Carolina Central) leaped 2.04 meters to win the high jump at the Champion College Team Challenge.
Justin Miles (North Carolina Central) won the 200 meters with a time of 22.98 at the Champion College Team Challenge.
Jada Banks (South Carolina State) ran a 10:24.18 to finish third in the 3,000 meters, and also turned in the MEAC’s top time in the mile run with a 5:10.94 at Samford.
Erick Hill (South Carolina State) won the long jump at Samford with a leap of 7.27 meters.