Men's Indoor Track & Field 12/12/2024 11:32:00 PM

Cougars dominate CUNYAC awards in season's opening week, earning five conference distinctions

The City University of New York Athletic Conference announced its indoor track and field honorees for the period of Monday, December 2 through Sunday, December 8, as the Medgar Evers Cougars dominated the distinctions, capturing four awards, plus an honorable mention. On the men's side, Jahiem Johnson was selected the Athlete of the Week, with Reco Griffith earning Rookie of the Week praise. Medgar's women were represented by Shaniya Chung (Rookie of the Week), Nia Butler (Field Athlete of the Week), and Aaliyah Bartholomew (Honorable Mention).

The five aforementioned student-athletes earned the conference praise following hearty efforts at St. John's' Youree Spence Garcia Invite (12/7/24). Following the announcement of the honors, Head Coach Hugh Reid spoke.

"I'd like to congratulate the five student-athletes who received recognition from the CUNY Athletic Conference for their performances in the Youree Spence Garcia invitational this past Saturday," Coach Reid said. "Competing at a Division I meet is no small feat, especially for a young team, but it was inspiring to see everyone so committed to putting the best versions of themselves on display, and these athletes did just that. They set schools records, personal-bests, and led by example as we took our first step towards not only repeating as CUNYAC champions, but also heading to Nationals as well!"

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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