Men's Indoor Track & Field 1/27/2026 1:57:00 PM

Cougars achieve CUNYAC qualifying marks, AARTFC regional qualifiers, school records, personal bests, and all-time program performances at Massasoit Classic

Despite challenging winter conditions and a snowstorm that tested preparation and resolve, the Medgar Evers College Indoor Track & Field program returned to action with a determined and confident performance at the Massasoit Classic, hosted by Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Facing a deep and competitive field that included Amherst, Roger Williams, Trinity College, Connecticut College, and Springfield College, the Cougars represented themselves with resilience and professionalism. Across all event groups, Medgar Evers student-athletes demonstrated competitive maturity, producing an impressive collection of CUNYAC qualifying marks, AARTFC regional qualifiers, school records, personal bests, and all-time program performances. The meet served as both a test of preparation and a reflection of the program's continued upward trajectory during the 2026 indoor season.

Quote from Coach Reid:

"This was a week where we really had to dig deep," Reid said. "Some of our student-athletes who committed to the work over winter break are starting to see the rewards, while others are still finding their place and building themselves into competitive shape. We've spent a lot of time training the mind as well as the body, and this meet—especially under these conditions—was a true test of our fortitude."

Notable Performer for the Women: Brianna Lindo

Brianna Lindo led the Medgar Evers women on the track with a series of high-level performances. She earned CUNYAC qualifying marks in the 60 meters (8.47) and 200 meters, where she placed 8th with a personal-best time of 27.61 (27.19 converted). Lindo also placed 4th in the 60-meter hurdles finals, running 9.43 to earn both CUNYAC and AARTFC regional qualifying marks. Her consistency across sprint and hurdle events anchored a strong showing for the Cougars.

In the field events, Brianna Lindo delivered one of the top performances of the meet. She placed 3rd in the triple jump with a personal-best and conference leading mark of 10.53 meters, earning a CUNYAC qualifier and recording the #2 all-time performance in Medgar Evers College history. Lindo also placed 5th in the high jump, clearing 1.48 meters for another CUNYAC qualifying mark, and competed in the weight throw, recording 9.59 meters. Her elite jumping performances were central to the team's success.

Additional Women's Highlights:

The women's sprint group was led by Brianna Lindo, who earned a CUNYAC qualifier in the 60 meters (8.47) and followed with a strong performance in the 200 meters, placing 8th in 27.61 (27.19 converted) for a CUNYAC qualifier and personal best. Danajah Lawrence added depth in the sprints, running a personal best of 8.37 in the 60 meters and another PR and CUNYAC qualifier in the 200 meters (28.57 / 28.14 converted). Rinnah Brown also earned a CUNYAC mark in the 200 meters (28.41).

In the distance events, Kenia Irish-Bramble placed 9th in the 1000 meters, running 3:47.46 (3:45.00 converted) to record the #5 all-time performance in Medgar Evers College history. Nana Samake finished 10th in the 1000 meters and delivered a standout performance in the 5000 meters, placing 7th in 22:28.78 (22:18.53 converted)—ranking #3 all-time in MEC school history.

Lindo continued her strong meet in the 60-meter hurdles finals, placing 4th in 9.43, earning CUNYAC and AARTFC qualifying marks, while Brown added another CUNYAC qualifier with a 9th-place finish. The women's Distance Medley Relay of Jada Lambert, Irish-Bramble, Brown, and Nana Samake placed 3rd in 16:53.75.

In the field events, Lindo earned a CUNYAC qualifier in the high jump, placing 5th with a clearance of 1.48 meters, and delivered one of the top performances of the meet in the triple jump, placing 3rd with a personal-best mark of 10.53 meters—a CUNYAC qualifier and #2 all-time in MEC history. Brown placed 10th in the long jump (4.66m) and 10th in the triple jump (9.57m). Sarah Vallon recorded personal bests in both the weight throw (5.42m) and shot put (6.08m).

Notable Performers for the Men: Pharell Fowler and Chrisnel Nicolas:

Pharell Fowler delivered one of the most impactful track performances of the week, establishing himself as a premier sprint contributor in the conference. Fowler placed 3rd in the 200 meters, running a personal-best converted time of 22.35, earning a CUNYAC qualifying mark and ranking #3 all-time in Medgar Evers College history. He followed that with a 4th-place finish in the 400 meters, clocking 53.14 (52.31 converted)—a personal best, CUNYAC qualifier, and the fastest mark recorded in the CUNYAC this week. His consistency and ability to perform at a high level across multiple sprint events make him a deserving nominee for Male Track Athlete of the Week.

Chrisnel Nicolas delivered a complete and demanding multi-event performance in the field, competing across six different disciplines. He earned a CUNYAC qualifying mark in the pole vault (3.25m) and added a CUNYAC qualifier in the 60-meter hurdles (9.80). Nicolas also competed in the high jump (1.67m), long jump (5.37m), triple jump (11.34m), and shot put (10.37m), demonstrating exceptional versatility and competitive toughness. His willingness to contribute across multiple event groups was instrumental to the team's overall effort.

Additional Men's Highlights:

Reco Griffith led the sprints with a 2nd-place in the trials of the 60 meters (7.10), earning a CUNYAC qualifier, and followed with a 4th-place finish in the 200 meters (22.90 / 22.45 converted), also qualifying for CUNYAC.

Fowler delivered a breakout performance, placing 3rd in the 200 meters with a personal-best converted time of 22.35, earning a CUNYAC qualifier and ranking #3 all-time in Medgar Evers College history. Fowler also placed 4th in the 400 meters, running 53.14 (52.31 converted)—a personal best, CUNYAC qualifier, and the leading mark in the conference this week. David Awaye added a personal best in the 200 meters.

In the distance events, Zachary Bussey placed 7th in the 5000 meters, running 20:32.59 (20:19.53 converted) for a personal best and #5 all-time performance in MEC history.

Nicolas competed across multiple disciplines, earning a CUNYAC qualifier in the 60-meter hurdles (9.80) and contributing in the 4x400m relay alongside Nicolas, Griffith, Awaye, and Fowler. Nicolas also competed in the high jump (1.67m), pole vault (3.25m, CUNYAC), long jump (5.37m), triple jump (11.34m), and shot put (10.37m), highlighting his versatility and value as a multi-event athlete.

Up Next for the Cougars:

Medgar Evers will return to action this weekend, as the Cougars will travel to the Ott Center in Philadelphia, PA to compete in the Schuylkill Showcase (hosted by Widener University). The event will unfold on Saturday (10:00am start) and Sunday (1:30pm start)

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