Meet Results

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Norfolk State junior James Taylor blazed to victories in both the 60 and 200 meters and set meet records in both on Saturday at the Penn State Relays at Ashenfelter Track.

Taylor began his day by posting the fastest qualifying time in the 60m (6.83), then went on to a comfortable win with his time of 6.75 in the finals. He was just getting warmed up, though, as he posted the nation's fastest 200m time through the first month of the season with a 20.92 clocking. The 20.92 is also an indoor PR for Taylor.

Taylor wasn't the only Spartan to fare well in the team's first meet of the New Year. Freshman Damian Smith was third in the 60 (6.94) and second behind Taylor in the 200 with his personal-best time of 21.50. Smith's 200m time is currently second in the country behind his teammate through the first month of action.

Senior Kenneth Smith made it a 1-2-3 Spartan sweep in the 200m with his time of 21.70.

Elsewhere on the track Saturday, junior Nathnael Meseret placed third in the 3,000 meters with a time of 8:39.30. Teammate Damtew Adnew was seventh (8:52.43).

Taylor, Kenneth Smith, Damian Smith and Keith Nkrumah capped the meet with a second-place finish in the 4x400 meter relay (3:14.20).

In field events, freshman Jamarian Bates made it 2-for-2 as he won his second long jump title in as many meets in his rookie campaign. And like his winning jump at CNU last month, Bates again posted a top leap of 23 feet, 5.25 inches to take first place Saturday.

Senior John James also jumped well at the meet, notching a runner-up finish with his height of 6-10.75 in the high jump. Rounding out the top field performers, sophomore Michael Mingo-Dabney was seventh in the weight throw with a personal-best toss of 49-10.

NSU is off next weekend before competing at the CNU Captains Invitational Jan. 19-20 in Newport News.