GAINESVILLE, Fla. & RICHMOND, Va. – The Norfolk State women's track and field team opened its outdoor season over the weekend, with the squad split between the Florida Relays and the Fred Hardy Invitational.

The Spartans found success at both meets. At the Florida Relays, one of the bigger meets on the East Coast during outdoor season, Kiara Grant led a strong performance on the track for the NSU women. Grant, DaJah Parker-Love, Malika Pride and Martha Bissah teamed to win the women's sprint medley relay in 3 minutes, 45.74 seconds. They edged Georgia by more than a second, and also knocked off Big Ten teams Ohio State, Iowa and Indiana.

Grant also set new personal records in both of her individual events. She placed fourth in the invitational section of the 200 meters in 23.56 seconds, winning her heat. Then in the 100 meters, she posted a time of 11.47 seconds, good for 17th overall and first in her heat. Both of her times rank among the top 20 in the NCAA East Region so far this season.

In her one individual event, Bissah placed fifth in the 1,500 meters in a personal-best time of 4:18.78, shaving some seven seconds off her previous PR. First through fifth were separated by just half a second in the race, and Bissah's time ranks No. 8 in the East Region thus far.

NSU's contingent of throwers and distance runners fared well at the Fred Hardy meet hosted by the University of Richmond. Freshman Tiara Simms won the shot put with a top throw of 40 feet, 4 inches. Junior Daiysa Burrell placed top 10 in all three of her events, including PRs in the hammer and javelin throw. Burrell finished fifth in the discus (128-2), sixth in the hammer (145-0) and 10th in the javelin (96-7).

On the track, Fridah Koech posted a 10th-place showing in the 3,000 meters, clocking a time of 10:45.27.

The Spartans are closer to home this week, as they compete at the Colonial Relays hosted by William & Mary this Thursday through Saturday.