The Medgar Evers College indoor track and field teams began the defenses of their 2023-2024 CUNYAC titles this past Saturday, as the teams competed at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational hosted by St. John's University. The meet took place at the Ocean Breeze Track Complex in Staten Island, NY. Student-athletes on both squads put forth some memorable performances, setting school records and registering personal-bests throughout the course of the day.

Head Coach Hugh Reid quote:

Competing at a Division I meet is no small feat, especially for a young team. It brought its share of pressure, but it was inspiring to see everyone committed to learning and improving. The team's resilience and drive were evident, with the veterans rising to the occasion, breaking records, and pushing their limits.

This performance laid a solid foundation for future success, though it was not without its challenges and missed opportunities. These are natural parts of the learning process, and we're using them as stepping stones for growth. My focus remains on the team's long-term development, and with this mindset, I'm confident they will continue to evolve and achieve new milestones.

Success will come with the right attitude, a commitment to teamwork, and a relentless determination to improve. These qualities will serve us well as we build momentum in the coming months. The key now is to refine areas needing improvement and support each other to stay focused. I'm confident the team will keep progressing and reaching new heights.

Top Performances from the Cougars:

Jaheim Johnson shattered the school record in the 600m dash, finishing 13th with a time of 1:28.67. He also placed 13th in the men's 60m dash, clocking a CUNYAC qualifying time of 7.22 seconds. Additionally, he was part of the 4x400m relay team that claimed third place with the 5th fastest time in school history (3:37.72). 

Dontay Washington secured eighth place in the men's high jump with a CUNYAC qualifying mark of 1.73m.

Reco Griffith made history by finishing 10th in the men's 60m dash with the 5th fastest time in Medgar Evers College history. His 7.17-second performance also met the CUNYAC qualifying standard. Additionally, he recorded the 2nd fastest time in school history in the 300m, finishing 17th with a time of 37.04. Grifith was also part of the 3rd place 4x400m relay team, which ran the 5th fastest time in school history (3:37.72).

Aaliyah Bartholomew set a new Medgar Evers College school record in the 60m hurdles at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational, finishing 12th with a CUNYAC qualifying time of 10.10 seconds. She was also a key member of the 4x800m relay team that placed fifth with a new school record of 11:43.41.

Nia Butler achieved a personal best of 8.79m in the shot put, placing 16th. She also set a Medgar Evers College school record in the women's weight throw with a mark of 11.72m, finishing 13th. This performance met the CUNYAC qualifying standard.  

Shaniya Chung delivered an impressive showing at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational. She finished 29th in the women's 60m dash with a CUNYAC qualifying time of 8.59 seconds. In the 600m, she recorded the 3rd fastest time in school history, placing 17th with a time of 1:56.24. Shaniya was also a member of the women's 4x400m relay team, which finished 7th with a time of 4:54.77.

Additional Cougar accomplishments/feats

Chrisnel Nicolas: Finished 10th in men's 60m hurdles (9.63 seconds, new PR, CUNYAC qualifying time). Eighth in men's shot put (10.29m). Ninth in men's weight throw (7.92m, new PR). 16th in men's 1000m (3:28.32, 3rd fastest time in school history).

Denzel Pineda: 23rd in men's 3000m (11:36.61, 2nd fastest time in school history). 18th in men's 1000m (3:29.43, 5th fastest time in school history).

Adeolu Adeyemi: 17th in men's 600m (1:33.60, 3rd fastest time in school history).

Joshua Felix: 17th in men's 600m (1:35.86, 4th fastest time in school history).

Daniel Forbes: 23rd in men's 300m (38.30, 4th fastest time in school history).

Rupert Luard-Charles: 25th in men's 300m (38.52, 5th fastest time in school history). 4x800m relay team (Adeyemi, Nelson, Atkinson, Felix): Fifth place (9:48.86, new MEC school record). 4x400m relay team (Johnson, Griffith, Forbes, Luard-Charles): Third place (3:37.72, 5th fastest time in school history).

Kayshaun Higgs: Eighth in men's weight throw (9.73m).

Michael Ortega: 10th in men's weight throw (6.77m).

Nana Samake: 26th in women's 3000m (12:46.55, CUNYAC qualifying time).

Kenia Irish-Bramble: 14th in women's 600m (1:48.94, new MEC school record).

Thenica Thompson: 29th in women's 300m (46.27, 3rd fastest time in school history). 4x800m relay team (Bartholomew, Brown, Samake, Irish-Bramble): 5th place (11:43.41, new MEC school record). 4x400m relay team (Thompson, Lawrence, Lambert, Chung): 7th place (4:54.77).

Danajah Lawrence qualified for the 60m dash

Torey Richards: 15th in women's weight throw (9.83m, new PR). 18th in shot put (8.15m, new PR).

Camaya Sealy: 17th in shot put (8.20m, new PR).

Rinnah Brown: 20th in women's long jump (4.59m, 4th best in MEC school history).

Next up for the Cougars:

The Cougars will return to the track and field this Friday (December 13) and Saturday (December 14), as the teams will participate in the Art Kaddish Elm City Challenge, hosted by Southern Connecticut State University. The meet will take place at the James Moore Field House in New Haven, CT. Start-time on both days of competition is set for 3:00pm.