Men's Indoor Track & Field 2/19/2024 8:24:00 AM

Cougars dominate '23-'24 CUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championship, as men win first title ever, women snag first crown since '04

Women's Results
Men's Results

In what was a historic evening for the Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics, the institution's men's and women's indoor track and field teams reached the top of their respective mountains, capturing titles at the 2023-2024 CUNYAC Championship meet.

For the women's team, it was the Cougars' first indoor track and field title in 20 seasons. The men's squad made history, winning its first indoor championship ever. As a school, it was Medgar Evers' first championship victory since February 26, 2011, when the Cougars' men's basketball team defeated the College of Staten Island, 62-56, to win a conference crown.

The 2023-2024 CUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championship meet unfolded from the historic Nike Track & Field Center at the Armory. When the meets were in the books, first-Year Cougars Head Coach Hugh Reid, who now has won 25 championships within the CUNY Athletic Conference (17 with CCNY, six with Lehman, and now two with Medgar Evers) reflected on what was an incredible night in the history of Medgar Evers College athletics.

"I am so proud and honored to have coached both the Medgar Evers College men's and women's programs to CUNYAC indoor titles," Reid said. "It is so gratifying to see the men make history, and witness the women squash a twenty-year drought. These incredible accomplishments served as the icing on the cake for what was already an amazing indoor campaign. These students came out and set conference records, school records, and personal records throughout the entirety of the season. They competed with drive, as well as a passion that was contagious. Two of our freshmen won Most Valuable Performer tonight, and that speaks volumes about the future outlook of our programs. I know we will all cherish these accomplishments for the rest of our lives."

On the men's side, the Cougars compiled a whopping 151.5 points, followed by Hunter College (114), Lehman (79.5), CCNY (74), and York.

Freshman Rupert Luard-Charles was named the meet's Most Valuable Performer. The rookie produced a gold medal effort in the 400-meter dash (51.73) while taking silver in the 200m dash (23.42) and silver in the long jump (6.01m).

Medgar's Jaheim Johnson was the meet's top runner in the 200m dash, recording a time of 23.02. Jerome Hodges won gold in the high jump with a leap of 1.80m, while teammate Chrisnel Nicolas earned gold in the pole vault with a mark of 2.69m (CUNYAC record). Dontay Washington was the top senior college runner in the 60m hurdles, turning in a time of 9.75.

The Medgar Evers' women's team finished with 166 points, surpassing Hunter (137), Lehman (71), York, and CCNY.

Freshman Aaliyah Bartholomew was named the meet's Most Valuable Performer. The rookie won three gold medals, turning in winning performances in the 400-meter dash (1:05.72), the 60-meter hurdles (11.69) and the long jump (4.58m). She was also the runner-up in the high jump (1.45m) and scored in the shot put (8.63m).

Imani Richardson was crowned conference champion in the 60m dash, producing a time of 8.34. Teammate Desireth Ramirez turned in a gold medal effort in the 200m dash, winning the event in 27.62.

Nana Samake was the top performer in the 800m run, winning the race in 2:38.95. Samake also came in second place in the mile event, crossing the finish line at 5:56:08 (new school record).

Fresh off of their championships, the Medgar Evers indoor track and field teams will return to action on Friday, as they'll compete in the Fasttrack Last Chance Invitational at the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, NY.

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