NORFOLK, Va. – Joseph Wanene took first place in the 10,000 meters and Haileyesus Demsie won the 3,000 meter steeplechase to highlight a strong night for the Spartan men's distance runners at the NSU Twilight Meet on Wednesday evening at Dick Price Stadium.

The eight-event evening meet marked the first and only home meet of the outdoor season for the Spartans. Wanene and fellow freshman Amon Marindich both qualified for the MEAC Outdoor Championships in the 10,000 meters, a new event to the conference meet this year. Wanene won the event on Wednesday in a time of 32 minutes, 56.54 seconds. Marindich was close behind in 32:57.79.

Demsie led a 1-2-3 sweep of the 3,000m steeplechase Wednesday. His winning time was 10:04.71. Desmond Fogg was second (10:21.24) and Tomas Fantaye was third (10:27.68).

Rashad Ramsey posted a runner-up finish in the 400 meter hurdles, clocking a time of 53.55 seconds. Rasheed Best was not far behind, placing fourth in 55.03.

Senior Clifton Thompson led the way for the NSU field athletes by winning the discus throw by a comfortable margin. His best effort went 154 feet, 9 inches. Teammate Da'Trail Hockaday was third (138-09).

In the pole vault, Willard Ward finished as the runner-up with a top height of 13-5.75. That tied unattached athlete Kyle Chowan for first place, but Ward placed second based on more misses. Shaw Barfield (12-0) and Justin Dozier (12-0) placed third and fourth in the pole vault, respectively.

The Spartans' full squad returns to the track for the Hampton Relays this Saturday in Hampton, Va.