NORFOLK, Va., Jan. 18, 2024 — Norfolk State graduate student Kai Cole was named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola and Howard senior Kaya-Rae Dunbar was selected as Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, the conference office announced today. Norfolk State senior Isaac Haywood was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Week, while North Carolina Central sophomore Tia Lucas earned Women’s Field Athlete of the Week honors. 
 
Cole (Gr., Alexandria, Va.) made Norfolk State history with his time in the 60m dash. Cole’s time of 6.65 seconds ties the program record set 28 years prior by Tim Montgomery who had held record alone since 1996. Cole finished second in the 60m dash at the HBCU Showcase this past weekend and claimed first in the 200m race with a time of 21.45. In the 60m dash, he currently sits first in the MEAC, second in the southeast region, and 15th nationally.  

Dunbar (Sr., Burtonsville, Md.) finished eighth in the 60-meter hurdles at the University of Kentucky Rod McCravy Memorial this past weekend, turning in a time of 8.41 - which currently ranks third in the Mid-Atlantic region and 48th in the nation.  

Haywood (Sr., Louisa, Va.) won the men's triple jump event at the HBCU Showcase where he jumped a MEAC-best 15.39-meters (50ft,6in), just 0.01-meters shy of his personal best. His mark is the fifth best in the Southeast Region and ranks 21st nationally. 

Lucas (So., James Island, S.C.) claimed a second-place finish in the women’s high jump at the HBCU Showcase with a mark of 1.65m, just 0.03-meters off her personal best jump of 1.68m. Additionally, she finished 10th in the women’s triple jump hitting a mark of 10.97m (36ft). Lucas ranks second in the MEAC rankings in the women’s high jump and is 11th overall this season in the triple jump.  

Other Top Performers 
Jovan Brooks (South Carolina State) sat atop the men’s 400m race finishing in 48.20 seconds at the Gamecock Opener hosted by the University of South Carolina. Brooks ranks fifth in the region and 34th nationally.  

Erick Hill (South Carolina State) finished fifth in the men’s long jump at the Gamecock Opener hosted by the University of South Carolina with a distance of 6.95m (22’9.75”). Hill ranks 24th regionally in the men’s long jump. 

Cameran Gist (South Carolina State) recorded a 13th place finish in the women’s long jump (5.51m) and a sixth-place mark in the triple jump (11.67) at the Gamecock Opener hosted by the University of South Carolina. 

Otto Laing (Howard) claimed the top spot in the men’s 60m hurdles finishing with a time of 7.89 seconds. Laing ranks second in the Mid-Atlantic region and 37th nationally.  

Mercyline Kimaiyo (Norfolk State) won the women’s 3000m run with a MEAC-leading time of 10:20.11. 

Brooklyn Robinson (Norfolk State) finished the women’s 60m hurdles in 8.66 to claim second in the event. She also tied for fifth in the women’s high jump with a jump of 1.55m.  

Lamont Victoria (North Carolina Central) won the men’s high jump at the HBCU Showcase jumping a height of 2.12m. He holds the top spot in the 2023-24 MEAC rankings.  

Emmanuel Paddyfote (North Carolina Central) finished fourth in the men’s mile with a time of 4:27.36. 

Rachel Ozio (North Carolina Central) finished fourth in the women’s 3000m run with a time of 10:48.38 setting a new personal best in the event. 

Zackery Dillon (Morgan State) finished second in the men’s shot put with a mark of 15.47m (50’9.25”). 

Chloe Lucas (Maryland Eastern Shore) finished first in the women’s 400 meter race with a time of 55.87 at the HBCU Showcase, while also helping the Hawks place third in the 4x400 meter relay (3:56.30).

Catherine Glenn (Delaware State) won the 60 meter hurdles at the HBCU Showcase this past weekend with a time of 8.63.

Gabrielle Jeffries (Morgan State) placed third in the 400-meter dash at the HBCU Showcase, crossing the line in 57.80 seconds.

Faithlyn Irving (Maryland Eastern Shore) grabbed the top spot in the triple jump at the HBCU Showcase in New York with a mark of 12.34m, while also helping the Hawks place third in the 4x400 meter relay (3:56.30).

Mariah Winfield (Delaware State) won the women's long jump clearing a distance of 5.55 meters at the HBCU showcase.

Ishana Asinor (Morgan State) captured the women's pole vault title at the HBCU Showcase with a mark of 10-feet-11.75 inches (3.35m) which tied the school record and her personal best. 

Andie Kollie (Maryland Eastern Shore) finished sixth in the men’s 60-meter dash with a time of 6.82 and took second in the men's 200-meter race.

Tyrell Martin (Delaware State) won the men's shot put with a 15.90 meter mark. 

Caleb Goslee (Maryland Eastern Shore) took first place in the men's long jump with an NCAA preliminary qualifying mark of 7.43m.

Jaden Shelton (Delaware State) finished second in the men's 60m Hurdles preliminaries running a time of 8.12 (PR).