Men's Indoor Track & Field 12/18/2024 1:27:00 PM

CUNYAC Indoor Track & Field honorees announced (12/9-12/15): Cougars sweep major award distinctions

The City University of New York Athletic Conference announced its indoor track and field honorees for the period of Monday, December 9 through Sunday, December 15, as the Medgar Evers Cougars swept the distinctions, capturing all six major awards. On the men's side, Jahiem Johnson was selected the Athlete of the Week, Dontay Washington was tabbed the Field Athlete of the Week, and Reco Griffith earned his second consecutive Rookie of the Week honor. Medgar's women were represented by Thenica Thompson (Athlete of the Week), Aaliyah Bartholomew (Field Athlete of the Week), and Rinnah Brown (Rookie of the Week).
The six aforementioned student-athletes earned the conference praise following hearty efforts at Art Kaddish Elm City Challenge this past weekend (12/13/24-12/14/24). Following the announcement of the honors, Head Coach Hugh Reid spoke.

"Our student-athletes have continued to put in a tremendous amount of work to prepare themselves for these new challenges, and these six honorees truly showcased their talents at the Art Kaddish Elm City Challenge," Reid said. "They come to these meets with motivated mindsets, ready to chase their own personal records while also putting themselves in exceptional position for CUNYs. I'm extremely proud their continued success."

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.

The Cougars will now 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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