LANDOVER, Md. – Four Spartans placed in the top six of the 5,000 meters Thursday to help the NSU men off to an early lead at the 2020 MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex.

The Spartans took second through fourth places and also sixth place in the 5K, amassing 22 of their 23 points for the day in that event. Senior Anteneh Girma was runner-up in the 5,000 in 15:02.23, just ahead of sophomore Evans Cheruiyot (15:08.54). Sophomore Meshack Kipchirchir was fourth in 15:18.12 and junior Lelei Too placed sixth in 15:38.56.

In the day's other event final, senior Kequan Henley finished eighth in the long jump with a top jump of 21 feet, 11.5 inches.

Henley also stands second in the heptathlon with 2,960 points through four events. Teammate Jalen Banks stands in fifth with 2,594 points.

Also Thursday, sophomore Kai Cole (21.99) and freshman Savien Hayes (22.03) finished among the top eight in the 200-meter dash semifinals, earning their place in Saturday's final.

Competition resumes at 9 a.m. Friday with the conclusion of the heptathlon.