Meet Results

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Freshman Jamarian Bates won the long jump and junior Nathnael Meseret ran a season-best time in the 1,500 meters to pace the Norfolk State men's track and field team on Saturday at the Virginia Invitational hosted by U.Va.

Bates topped the 23-foot mark for the second time in as many meets this outdoor season in his signature event. His top leap of 23 feet, 4.75 inches was roughly 10 inches ahead of his nearest competitor.

Running in the invitational section of the 1,500 meters, Meseret placed fourth in a season-best time of 3 minutes, 54.57 seconds. He trailed only three runners from middle distance powerhouse U.Va., and his time was less than a second off his personal-best from last year's MEAC championship.

NSU had several other top-five finishes in running events on Saturday. Freshman Damian Smith was runner-up in the 400 meters in a time of 48.64 seconds. The Spartans were also strong in the 400 hurdles, as Kenneth Smith (54.81), Quentin Parker (54.88) and De'Von Booker (55.57) took third through fifth places, respectively.

In distance events, junior Damtew Adnew was fifth in the 5,000 meters in 15:18.59.

Aside from his win in the long jump, Bates was also ninth in the triple jump (44-3.5). Fellow freshmen Willard Ward and Johnathan Anderson also placed in the top 10 in their respective events. Anderson was eighth in the shot put (43-8) and Ward 10th in the pole vault (12-6.25).

The Spartans travel to Gainesville next weekend to participate in the Pepsi Florida Relays.