NORFOLK, Va., May 8, 2024 - For the third consecutive season the Spartans of Norfolk State University were crowned the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's (MEAC) Men's Outdoor Track & Field Champions. The team totaled 204 points which was 68 points higher than the runners-up of Howard University. The Hornets of Delaware State rounded out the top three with 118 team points.  

Head Coach Kenneth Giles was named the Outstanding Coach of the Meet, while Norfolk State's Victor Jumo garnered the Outstanding Runner of the Meet accolade and Dexter Ratliff from South Carolina State University was named the Outstanding Male Field Athlete of the Meet. 

The Spartans brought home eight gold medals throughout the weekend with a total of 17 podium appearances on the men's side.  

Raphael Kitur claimed a first-place finish in the men’s 10,000m run with a time of 30:12.01. Teammate Gidion Sigei joined Kitur on the podium after finishing third in 30:32.42. Fellow Spartans Brian Rotich and Basil Koech finished fifth and seventh respectively for a total of 22 team points from the event.  

Freshman Davante Anders placed third in the men’s high jump finals clearing a height of 1.98m (6' 5¾"), while another rookie, Basil Koech, won gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase coming from behind and passing the second-place runner in the final 100 meters. 

The Spartans took gold and silver in the 5000m run with Victor Jumo and Raphael Kitur crossed the line in 14:14.67 and 14:32.87 respectively.  

Jumo, Kitur and Brian Rotich crossed the finish line 1-2-3 in the men’s 1500m run. The difference between Jumo and Kitur was just over one second, 3:50.43 and 3:51.47 respectively. Rotich ran a time of 3:58.24 to claim the bronze.  

Jumo claimed another medal in the men’s 800 finishing second in 1:53.21. 

Vincent Bond brought home the silver medal in the men’s 400 dash breaking the tape in 46.69 seconds.  

Graduate student Kai Cole won two gold medals in both the 100m and 200m dashes. Cole ran the 100m dash in 10.05 while he laid down a time of 20.55 in the 200m dash. 

A duo of Spartans finished second and third in the men’s 400m hurdles as Premier Wynn clinched second and Tafari Bishop was third. 

In the men's triple jump finals, Isaac Haywood set a new personal record with a leap of 15.85m (52' 0") securing gold before the 4x400 took the field. 

The men's 4x400 relay was the final event of the championship meet. The Norfolk State men held off Coppin State and South Carolina State to claim gold with a time of 3:06.64.