LANDOVER, Md. – Junior Champagne Bell defended her MEAC women's long jump title thanks to a personal-best performance on day 1 of the MEAC Indoor Track and Field Championship at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex on Thursday.

NSU is in third place through two events with 14 points. Florida A&M is first with 20 points, followed by Hampton with 16.

Bell posted an indoor PR of 20 feet, 3 inches to win the conference indoor long jump time for the second straight year. She topped runner-up Shakia Forbes of North Carolina A&T (19-2.50) by more than a foot.

In the only other event final on Thursday, junior Kellen Rutto placed fifth in the 5,000 meters in a time of 19 minutes, 14.73 seconds to earn four additional points.

The only other track event on Thursday was the 200-meter prelims. Shanneka Claiborne won her heat to qualify for Saturday's final.

Competition resumes at 9 a.m. Friday morning.