Meet Results

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Freshman Jamarian Bates was fourth in the men's long jump and the 4x400 meter relay team won its heat as the Spartan men made a strong showing this past weekend at the Pepsi Florida Relays.

Bates posted a top-five finish in the long jump for the third time in as many meets this outdoor season. His top jump was 23 feet, 5.5 inches, his second-best leap this spring.

On the track, the 4x400 meter relay team was impressive in winning its heat. The Spartans finished eighth overall in the 4x4 with a time of 3 minutes, 10.16 seconds. It was the first time the quartet of Damian Smith, Kenneth Smith, Keith Nkrumah and James Taylor had run together since winning the MEAC indoor title in February. They topped teams from North Carolina, Indiana, Western Kentucky and others to win heat number two. Three of the teams that had faster times than NSU in other heats were comprised professional runners.

Several other Spartans showed well at the Florida Relays. Junior Nathnael Meseret posted a new personal-best in the 1,500 meters. He placed 10th in 3:51.64, shaving two seconds off his previous PR from last year's MEAC Outdoor Championship.

Junior James Taylor, running the 200 meters for the first time since the NCAA Indoor Championship last month, came in 15th in a time of 21.02 seconds in a stacked field of competitors.

In other events, junior Damtew Adnew ran a season-best time of 15:06.52 to place 26th in the 5,000 meters, and senior Kenneth Smith clocked a PR of 54.23 in taking 34th in the 400 hurdles.

The Spartans will compete on their own track at Dick Price Stadium for the first time since year next Saturday as they host the NSU Relays. Field events start Saturday at 9 a.m., and running events an hour later.