Meet Results

BLACKSBURG, Va. – James Taylor and Keith Nkrumah both won individual events, then helped the NSU 4x400 meter relay team run the MEAC's second-best time this season at the Hokie Invitational this weekend at the Rector Fieldhouse.

In his first time running the 400 meters this season, Taylor clocked the MEAC's best time and the 10th-fastest time in the nation this year, cross the finish line in first place in 47.15 seconds. That was more than a full second ahead of runner-up Jonathan McCants of Virginia Tech (48.31).

Nkrumah ran a season-best 60-meter hurdles time of 7.85 seconds to win that event. His time ranks him among the top 20 in the nation and is also the fastest time in the conference.

Taylor, Nkrumah, Damian Smith and Kenneth Smith then teamed to run their best 4x400 time of the year. The quartet crossed the line second in 3 minutes, 12.25 seconds. It is the second-best time in the MEAC and ranks in the top 30 nationally.

Coming off his MEAC Runner of the Week honor for his performance at CNU last week, junior Nathnael Meseret had another productive meet. He won the 5,000 meters in 15:02.74, just ahead of teammate Damtew Adnew (15:03.87). Meseret was also second in the mile (4:19.33).

In field events, freshman Jamarian Bates recorded a pair of top-five finishes. He was second in the long jump (23 feet, 0.75 inch) and fifth in the triple jump (season-best 46-1.5). Also, junior Robert Thrasher placed fourth in the high jump (6-6.25) and freshman Willard Ward was fourth in the pole vault (13-1.5).

The Spartans are back in action next weekend at the Gene Anderson Invitational, hosted by the University of North Carolina.