NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 16, 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 Norfolk State junior Jahmei Wyatt 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 Maryland Eastern Shore senior Faithlyn Irving earned Women’s Field Athlete of the Week honors. 
 
Cole (Gr., Alexandria, Va.) finished first in the men’s 200m race, moving into first place in the MEAC rankings, after running a 21.21 time at the DIII Pre-Nationals Invitational, and finished second in the men’s 60m dash with a time of 6.78. Cole ranks 38th nationally in the 60m dash and is third regionally. He also sits 11th regionally in the men’s 200m race and 37th in the 400m race. 

Wyatt (Jr., Germantown, Md.) finished first in the women’s 800m race with a time of 2:14.56 at the DIII Pre-National Invitational. The time ranks first in the MEAC and is a full minute and 18 seconds faster than the second fastest time ran this season. 

Haywood (Sr., Louisa, Va.) finished first in both the men's triple jump and high jump events at the DIII Pre-Nationals Invitational. In the triple jump he set a new personal record with a mark of 15.58 meters. Haywood’s high jump performance was 0.03m shy of tying his PR as he finished first with a jump of 1.95m. He sits 35th nationally in the men’s triple jump and is second in the MEAC in the event. 

Irving (Sr., Spanish Town, Jamaica) set a new Maryland Eastern Shore record in the women’s indoor triple jump with a 12.76m jump at the Clemson Tiger Paw Invitational. The mark is first in the MEAC, the second best in the Mid-Atlantic Region, and 46th nationally.  

Other Top Performers 

• Leslie Young (Norfolk State) finished second in the women’s shot put and first in the weight throw with respective marks of 13.40m and 17.21m at the DIII Pre-Nationals Invitational.
• Angelica Frederick (South Carolina State) finished 25th in the women’s 60m dash with a time of 7.85 seconds. She also placed 13th in the 200m race with a time of 24.87.
• Cameran Gist (South Carolina State) set a personal record in the women’s 60m dash with a time of 7.86 seconds. Gist also placed seventh in the triple jump with a mark of 12.03m.
• Isaiah Vertus (South Carolina State) recorded a PR in the men’s 200m race with a time of 21.64 seconds at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
• Thomas White (South Carolina State) finished sixth in the men’s triple jump (14.71m) at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
• Laniyah Henderson (Morgan State) finished eighth in the women’s triple jump (11.93m), 16th in the long jump (5.45m) and helped the 4x400m relay team to a 17th place finish at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational.
• Derick Robinson (Morgan State) captured the long jump title with a 7.28m leap at the Darius Dixon Memorial Invitational. He also aided the 4x400m relay team to a 21st place finish (3:29.03) and finished 32 in the men’s 60m dash (7.12).
• Benidicta Kwartemaa (Coppin State) finished first at the Fastrack National Invitational in the women’s 60m dash with a time of 7.59 seconds.
• Solomon Hammond (Coppin State) finished first in the 200m dash (21.31) at the Fastrack National Invitational. He also took second, and first among collegiate runners in the 60m dash (6.72) while also helping the 4x400m relay to a victory (3:20.32).
• Jeff Hammond (Coppin State) captured the long jump (7.32m) title at the Fastrack National Invitational.
• Kailei Collins (Howard) finished the women’s 60m dash in 7.43 seconds and the 200m race in 24.02 at the Windy City Invitational in Chicago, Ill.