NORFOLK, Va. – The Norfolk State women's track and field team might not have won a title last season, but the team put together an extremely successful campaign, taking second place at both the MEAC Indoor Championships and Outdoor Championships.
 
With those strong finishes, and a slew of talented newcomers added to the squad, the Spartans can't wait to show what they're capable of this year.
 
"We fell a little short of a championship to a strong Howard team and I think we've improved in a lot of areas," head coach Kenneth Giles said. "I think overall there's a lot of excitement."
 
Norfolk State's long distance runners head into the winter with momentum from the fall, coming off a second-place finish at the MEAC Cross Country Championship. New addition Mercyline Kimaiyo established herself as a dominant force in the conference, winning the individual title, while her teammate Tynniesia Wilson finished runner-up.
 
"The ladies did a great job during the cross country season and I think when you have success in one area, it has to bring excitement to the next," Giles said.
 
The Spartans have a reliable roster of throwers that will rack up pivotal points, starting with 2022 MEAC Field MVP Leslie Young. The Portsmouth, Va. product dominated the conference's outdoor championships as a freshman, earning a gold medal in the javelin throw, silvers in discus and shot put, and fourth-place in the hammer.
 
Young and teammate Arieana Parker together create a powerful duo for throws, while D'Nysha Brightful and Destiny Hooks handle the pole vault. Wilson, a cross country standout this fall, excels in field as well, taking silver in high jump at the MEAC Outdoor Championships last year.
 
"We didn't have a lot of roster turnover on the ladies' side," Giles said. "We've got a lot of returnees, especially ones that will make a lot of immediate impact. We didn't have that last year."
 
Indya Richards also makes an impact in multiple areas, earning crucial points for the Spartans in the hurdles and long jump last spring. Zion Smith followed closely behind in hurdles, while Malika Pride took significant strides to become one of the conference's strongest competitors in the 400. Kara Grant dominated the middle distances with proven versatility.
 
"Kara has range all over the place," Giles said. "She can go from 400 meters to 3,000 meters."
 
The Spartans welcome nine newcomers to the roster this year, including Nyla Ward, a transfer from Campbell. A top-notch sprinter, Ward took first place at the 2022 Liberty Open with a personal record of 7.56 in the 60.
 
Grant was the lone Spartan from the women's side to compete at last weekend's Sharon-Colyear-Danville Season Opener in Boston, Mass., while the rest of the team makes its debut on Jan. 8 at the VCU Indoor Invitational. The Spartans will also get a chance to see the Big Apple, competing in the KPMG HBCU Showcase in New York, N.Y a week later.
 
"I think the student athletes are looking forward to going to New York, the mecca, and we'll be looking to put on an outstanding performance there," Giles said.