Meet Results

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Norfolk State men's track and field team got its indoor season off on solid footing with six firsts-place finishes and several other personal best efforts in Saturday's CNU Holiday Open. Spartans took victories in the 60, 200, 800 and 5,000-meter races, the 60 hurdles and long jump.

Junior James Taylor easily won the 60 meters in a time of 6.79 seconds and senior Keith Nkrumah notched a comfortable win in the 60 hurdles, finishing in 7.88 seconds. In the distance races, junior Damtew Adnew cruised to a win in the 5,000 meters, finishing in 15 minutes, 35.73 seconds. Teammate Kipchirchir Kiptoo was third overall and was the second collegiate finisher in the same event (15:44.89).

NSU's newcomers also performed well in their first meet as Spartans. Freshman Damian Smith clocked a time of 22.10 seconds to take the 200 meters, transfer Aaron Dudley won the 800 in a time of 1:57.52, and freshman Jamarian Bates took the long jump title with a top leap of 23 feet, 5.25 inches.

Two other Spartans posted personal bests in field events. Sophomore Michael Mingo-Dabney was the second-highest collegiate finisher with a top effort of 48-6 in the weight throw. He was third overall. Freshman Willard Ward tied for 10th in the pole vault, clearing a PR of 13-1.75.

Elsewhere on the track, Kenneth Smith placed fifth in the 600 meters (1:24.73), Nathnael Meseret was seventh in the mile (4:26.72), Marquis Worsley was fifth in the 3,000 (9:21.97) and the 4x400 team of Taylor, Damian Smith, Kenneth Smith and De'Von Booker crossed the line in third (3:24.07).

The Spartans are off for the semester break before returning to action on Jan. 5 at the Penn State Relays.