Spartans Turn in Strong Showing at Penn Classic

Noah Schlekeway, Assistant SID

Men's Track & Field | 2/7/2026 10:31:00 PM

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The Norfolk State men's track and field team turned in several strong performances at the Penn Classic on Friday and Saturday.
 
Rahkeem Faison placed fifth in the 60-meter prelims with a time of 6.84, then finished sixth in the finals at 6.86. Julian Ward also cracked the top 10 in the prelims, clocking a 6.97.
 
Christopher Basking led the Spartans in the 200 meters, finishing seventh in 21.60. Ward followed in ninth (21.68), while Antoinne Smith placed 12th (21.84).
 
Norfolk State recorded four top-15 finishes in the 400 meters, paced by Shamrar Heard's eighth-place effort in 48.34. Lavontay Bond finished 10th (48.50), Donovan Terry took 11th (48.61), and Kendrick Winfield placed 12th (48.67). Jemmel Green added a 14th-place finish in the 800 meters with a time of 1:55.59.
 
Green also led NSU in the mile, finishing seventh in 4:17.10. Lewis Too placed 12th (4:19.37), while Daniel Mathenge finished 14th (4:20.67). Basil Koech paced the distance group in the 3,000 meters, placing 14th in 9:15.18.
 
Three Spartans tied for sixth in the high jump, clearing 1.90 meters, including Cancelor Watson, Chazden Wilson, and Xavier McGreal. Landon Walker placed 10th in the pole vault after clearing 4.35 meters, while Atrell Williams finished 12th in the shot put with a mark of 16.01 meters.
 
Norfolk State returns to action Feb. 13–14 at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (X/Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.

2026 Norfolk State Men's Track & Field Penn Classic Results 

Name Yr Event Place Time/Mark Notes
Rahkeem Faison Fr. 60 meters 5th 6.84 Prelims
Julian Ward So. 60 meters 10th  6.97 Prelims
Rahkeem Faison Fr. 60 meters 6th 6.86 Finals
Christopher Basking Jr. 200 meters 7th 21.60
Julian Ward So. 200 meters 9th 21.68
Antoinne Smith Jr. 200 meters 12th 21.84
Shamar Heard So. 400 meters 8th 48.34
Lavontay Bond So. 400 meters 10th  48.50
Donovan Terry So. 400 meters 11th 48.61
Kendrick Winfield Sr. 400 meters 12th 48.67
Jemmel Green Fr. 800 meters 14th 1:55.59
Nimporembere Drogba Fr. 800 meters 20th 1:57.30
Jemmel Green Fr. Mile 7th 4:17.10
Lewis Too So. Mile 12th 4:19.37
Dainel Mathenge Fr. Mile 14th 4:20.67
Mathew Kipkoech Fr. Mile 18th 4:23.39
Basil Koech Jr. 3,000 meters 14th 9:15.18
Cancelor Watson Fr. High Jump 6th 1.90m
Chazden Wilson So. High Jump 6th 1.90m
Xavier McGreal Fr. High Jump 6th 1.90m
Landon Walker So. Pole Vault 10th  4.35m
Atrell Williams Sr. Shot Put 12th 16.01m