Men's Indoor Track & Field 1/28/2025 11:36:00 AM

Cougars' Indoor Track & Field teams continue stellar 2024-2025 campaign with dazzling performances at USM Husky Invitational

The Medgar Evers College men's and women's indoor track and field teams put forth sensational performances while competing at the Southern Maine Husky Invitational this past weekend at Southern Maine's Husky Invitational (1/25/24) in Gorham, ME. The Cougars set personal records, qualified for CUNYAC championship events, shattered long-standing school records, and climbed both conference and national rankings.

Quote from Coach Reid:

"I couldn't be prouder of our student-athletes and their performances this week," coach Reid said. "The MEC Track and Field team delivered an exceptional set of performances at the Southern Maine Husky Invitational, achieving personal-bests, and securing numerous qualifications for the CUNYAC and AARTFC NCAA Regional Championships, and breaking five school records in one meet—Men's and Women's 4x200m Relays, Women's 5000m, Women's Weight Throw, and the Women's 200m—is a testament to their hard work, determination, and focus. Competing in Maine against some of the top Division II and III teams in New England was an exciting opportunity for our programs. It's not something we get to experience often, and it really pushed our athletes to rise to the occasion. What's even more impressive is that our team was significantly smaller than many of the other teams we faced, yet we still had the men's team finish sixth and the women's team finish eighth. That speaks volumes about the grit and talent of our student-athletes. While we still have some pieces to put together, the consistent progress we're seeing week after week is incredible. This weekend was a huge step forward, and I'm thrilled about what's ahead for the MEC Track and Field program!"

Top Performances from the Cougars:

Jahiem Johnson ran a 6.74 in the 55-meter dash trials to qualify for the final, where he placed eighth with a time of 6.94 seconds. Johnson was second in the 200 with a time of 23.06 seconds, while taking fourth in the 400, checking in with a 53.27-second effort. The ace was also part of the Cougars' 4x200 (1:33.28) and 4x400 (3:40.73) relays, with the 4x200 mark a school record.

Dontay Washington cleared 1.75 meters in the high jump to place fourth at the USM Husky Invitational. He also placed eighth in the triple jump with a 10.87-meter jump, currently the No. 3 mark in the CUNYAC.

Reco Griffith finished third in the 55-meter dash at Southern Maine with a time of 6.59 seconds, and also placed fourth in the 200, clocking in at 23.32. Griffith was also part of the Cougars' 4x200 (1:33.28) and 4x400 (3:40.73) relays, with the 4x200 mark a school record.

Toshel Goffe won the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.37 seconds. In the 200, she clocked a time of 27.21 seconds to come in third, and she contributed to the 4x200 relay squad that set a school record (1:50.18) and finished third. Goffe also competed in the 4x400 relay, with the Cougars placing third at 4:45.01.

Thenica Thompson placed sixth in the 55-meter dash with a time of 7.74 seconds. In the 200, she earned a time of 27.72 to finish fifth, while also registering a PR in the long jump (4.49 meters). Additionally, the standout rookie was a member of the 4x200 and 4x400 relay entries for the Cougars, with the 4x200 setting a school record (1:50.18). The 4x400 relay was third with a time of 4:45.01.

Nia Butler set a school record in the weight throw at the Husky Invitational, recording a toss of 12.45 meters to come in 10th, currently the top mark in the CUNYAC.

Additional Cougar accomplishments/feats:

Rupert Luard-Charles placed 9th in the long jump (6.02m), a CUNYAC-qualifier. Finished 6th in the 400m (54.22, converted to 53.25), a CUNYAC-qualifier. Ran 24.08 (converted to 23.60) in the 200m, also a CUNYAC-qualifier.

Adeolu Adeyemi placed 7th in the 600m with a time of 1:33.41 (converted to 1:32.03), the 3rd fastest in MEC history.

Jalen Atkinson finished 10th in the 1000m with a PR of 3:29.87 (converted to 3:27.02). Placed 3rd in the 5000m with a time of 20:46.74 (converted to 20:33.52), the 5th fastest in MEC history.

Omari Hinds achieved a PR in the 55m dash (7.06). Placed 2nd in the long jump with a mark of 6.50m, a CUNYAC-qualifying mark.

Zion Young set a PR in the long jump

Aaliyah Bartholomew finished 8th in the 600m with a personal best of 1:59.38 (converted to 1:57.94), the 5th fastest time in MEC history. Qualified for CUNYAC in the high jump with a mark of 1.41m, finishing 10th. Placed 7th in the 55m hurdles with a time of 9.27 (converted to 9.97 for 60m), ranking 1st in the conference.

Nana Samake achieved 7th place in the 1000m with a time of 3:49.98 (converted to 3:47.50), the 5th fastest time in MEC history. Finished 5th in the 5000m with a time of 21:29.91 (converted to 21:20.11), setting a new MEC school record.

Kenia Irish-Bramble secured 5th place in the 400m with a CUNYAC-qualifying time of 1:05.16 (converted to 1:04.31), ranking 1st in the conference. Finished 6th in the 1000m with a time of 3:36.48 (converted to 3:34.14), the 3rd fastest in MEC history.

Shaniya Chung placed 10th in the 200m dash with a time of 29.17 (converted to 28.73), a CUNYAC-qualifying mark. Finished 7th in the 400m dash with a time of 1:12.79 (converted to 1:11.84).

Rinnah Brown qualified for CUNYACs with a PR in the 55m dash (8.07, converted to 8.70).

4x200m Relay: Rinnah Brown, Thenica Thompson, Toshel Goffe, and Shaniya Chung set a new MEC school record (1:50.18), finishing 3rd and qualifying for AARTFC NCAA Regionals.

4x400m Relay: Toshel Goffe, Thenica Thompson, Shaniya Chung, and Kenia Irish-Bramble finished 3rd (4:45.01).

Distance Medley Relay: Nana Samake, Keonna Evans, Aaliyah Bartholomew, and Kenia Irish-Bramble placed 6th (16:07.86, converted to 15:55).

Next Up for the Cougars:

The Cougars will return to the track and field this weekend, as the teams will compete in Bucknell University's Bison Open & Multi on Friday (4pm) and Saturday (11am). That meet will take place at the Gerhard Fieldhouse in Lewisburg, PA. This Sunday, Medgar Evers stays busy, as the squads travel to the Koehler Fieldhouse in East Stroudsburg, PA to compete in the DeSchriver Invitational.

Print Friendly Version