Men's Indoor Track & Field 12/17/2024 8:43:00 AM

Indoor track and field squads turn in excellent collective effort at Art Kaddish Elm City Challenge

The Medgar Evers College men's and women's indoor track and field teams continued to impress in the early stages of the 2024-2025 season, as the Cougars competed this past weekend at the Art Kaddish Elm City Challenge, hosted by Southern Connecticut State University. The competition unfolded from the James Moore Field House in New Haven, Connecticut. Just as they did in their opener, the Cougars continued to shatter records, achieve school records and personal-bests, and qualify for CUNY's.

Head Coach Hugh Reid Quote:

"This past weekend, our teams continued to build momentum with standout performances," Reis said." Competing in a Division II meet, the women's team delivered an outstanding performance, securing third place, while the men's team tied for sixth. The teams set multiple individual school records, achieved CUNYAC-leading marks, and recorded personal bests—including impressive performances in the Men's Heptathlon and Women's Pentathlon. Adding to the excitement, the women's team shattered the Distance Medley Relay (DMR) school record, highlighting their continued assault on relay benchmarks. These achievements demonstrate growing confidence and steady improvement as the team transitions into the next phases of the season. With the holiday break approaching, the athletes gave both themselves and the school an early gift with their remarkable efforts during this grueling two-day event. Their dedication is raising the bar for the program and setting the stage for even greater accomplishments. One of the most encouraging signs from the weekend was the team's mental and emotional growth. Often, coaches need to provide explicit direction, but this time, the athletes showed initiative, problem-solving, and resilience. This progress speaks to the team's maturation and readiness to embrace challenges. Looking ahead to January, the team will return to the same venue at Southern Connecticut State University with renewed focus and motivation. Many athletes are on the verge of qualifying for the conference, and those who fell short of their own expectations are eager for redemption. This determination promises an exciting start to the new year as the team continues to push for bigger marks and better performances."

Top Performances from the Cougars:

Jaheim Johnson finished 3rd in the men's 400m with a time of 52.42, which is a CUNYAC qualifier and conference leading time (converted to 51.60). He finished 8th in the men's 200m when he ran a CUNYAC qualifying and leading time of 23.27 (converted to 22.86). This is the 5th fastest time in school history. He finished 9th in the men's 55m dash with a PR of 6.67. This mark is the 4th fastest in school history and when converted is a tie for 1st and a CUNYAC qualifying time of 7.17 seconds. He finished 11th in the men's 600m when he finished in a time of 1:31.51 (converted to 1:30.16). Additionally, he was part of the 4x400m relay team that claimed 5th place with the fifth fastest time in MEC history (3:36.78). -

Dontay Washington set four personal-bests when he finished 10th in the men's Heptathlon with a new school record score of 3424 points. In long jump, he leaped a PR and CUNYAC qualifying mark of 5.83m, and in the 55m, Washington ran a PR of 7.13 seconds. He also ran the second-fastest time in school history in the men's 1000m with a PR time of 3:19.43 (converted to 3:16.72). In the 55mh, he ran 9.05 seconds which is the 5th fastest time in school history (converted to a CUNYAC qualifying time of 9.75 seconds) and is ranked 2nd in the conference. He leaped 2.40m in the Pole Vault, which is currently 1st in the conference. Washington earned a mark of 1.66m in the High Jump, and lastly, he threw the shot put 8.38m which is currently ranked 8th in the conference.

Reco Griffith continued a strong rookie Campaign by finishing 15th in the men's 55m dash. His mark of 6.76 seconds is a CUNYAC qualifier for the 60m. He also qualified for CUNYs in the men's 200m when he finished 16th in a time of 24.17 (converted to 23.75). Griffith was also part of the CUNYAC leading 5th place 4x400m relay team, which ran the fifth-fastest time in school history (3:36.78).

Thenica Thompson finished 12th in the women's 55m, running 7.85. Her converted time qualified her for CUNYs in the 60m 8.46. She also finished 14th in the women's 200m with a CUNYAC qualifying time of 28.03 (converted to 27.61). Thompson is currently ranked 1st in the conference. She was a member of the 2nd place Distance Medley Relay team that set a new MEC school record of 14.43.20 (converted to 14:33.84) to finish 2nd. Finally, the standout was a member of the 3nd place 4x400m relay team that finished in 4:23.94 (converted to 4:20.49). This is the 5th fastest time in MEC school History.

Aaliyah Bartholomew set a new Medgar Evers College school record in the Pentathlon at the Art Kaddish Elm City Challenge, where she finished 8th with 2466 points. She qualified for CUNY's in the shot put with a toss of 9.63m and the High Jump with a mark of 1.37m. Bartholomew jumped 4.59m in the long jump and is ranked 4th in the conference. She also competed in the women's 400m dash where she finished 12th in 1:08.16 (converted to 1:07.27).

Rinnah Brown finished 9th in the women's Pentathlon with her mark of 2382 points. She is now the 2nd best in MEC school history. Brown also finished 5th in the women's open 55mh in 9.38 sec which is the 2nd best time in school history. Additionally, the standout leaped the third-best long jump in MEC school history with her leap of 4.88m, and qualified for CUNYs. She ran the 800m in a converted 2:48.01, which is ranked 2nd in the conference, and jumped 1.34 in the High Jump and is ranked 2nd in the conference. She threw 6.79m in the shot put and is ranked 7th in the conference. Brown 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

Shaniya Chung: Finished 13th in the 55m dash (7.85, converted to 8.46), CUNYAC qualifier for 60m. Finished 13th in the 400m dash (1:08.26, converted to 1:07.37).

Nana Samake: Won the 800m with a CUNYAC qualifying time of 2:49.46 (converted 2:47.53). Finished 12th in the 600m (2:00.91, converted 1:59.45), now 5th all-time in MEC history.

Kenia Irish-Bramble: 8th in the 600m (1:52.86, converted 1:51.49). 2nd in the Mile with a CUNYAC qualifying time of 6:06.97 (converted 6:03.37), ranked 1st in conference and 3rd in MEC history.

Danajah Lawrence: Finished 19th in the 55m dash (8.08, converted 8.71), CUNYAC qualifier for 60m. Relays: Distance Medley Relay (Samake, Thompson, Chung, Irish-Bramble): 2nd place, set MEC record (14:43.20, converted 14:33.84). 4x400m Relay (Brown, Thompson, Chung, Irish-Bramble): 2nd place, 4:23.94 (converted 4:20.49), 5th fastest in MEC history.

Nia Butler: Qualified for CUNYAC in weight throw (10.74m) and shot put (9.46m).

Torey Richards: Qualified for CUNYAC with a PR in shot put (9.73m), currently 1st in conference.

Adeolu Adeyemi: Third-fastest MEC time in 600m (1:33.60).

Daniel Forbes: 12th in 200m (23.92, converted 23.50), CUNYAC qualifier, 3rd in conference.

Zion Young: 15th in 200m (23.92, converted 23.73), CUNYAC qualifier, 4th in conference. Field

Chrisnel Nicolas: 17th in triple jump (12.08m), CUNYAC qualifier, PR, 1st in conference. 21st in shot put (10.83m), 3rd in conference.

Rupert Luard-Charles: 15th in long jump (6.18m), CUNYAC qualifier, PR, 1st in conference.

Michael Ortega: PR in weight throw (8.31m) PR in shot put (11.05m), 2nd in conference. Relays: 4x400m Relay (Johnson, Griffith, Adeyemi, and Luard-Charles): 5th place, 3:40.23 (converted 3:36.78), 5th in MEC history. Distance Medley Relay (Adeyemi, Cameron Nelson, Denzel Pineda, and Felix): 2nd place, (13:36.29, converted 13:05.62), 3rd in MEC history.

Next up for the Cougars:

The Cougars will now break for the holiday and return to the track on Saturday, January 11, as the teams will participate in the William Sutherland III Invitational, hosted by Southern Connecticut State University. The meet will take place at the James Moore Field House in New Haven, CT. Start-time is scheduled for 10:00am.

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