NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State men's and women's track and field teams will compete close to home Monday through Wednesday in search of their respective MEAC indoor championships when the conference meet gets underway at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.
This will be the first MEAC indoor championship since 2020. Last year's meet was not held due to several other MEAC schools opting out of indoor season due to the pandemic. All eight eligible MEAC institutions will compete this week for the gold.
The Spartan men enter this week's championship holding the top time or mark in the MEAC in four different events.
Kai Cole ranks No. 1 in the 200 meters with a top time of 20.93. NSU holds the top three spots in that event, with
Trequan Barnes (21.20) second and
Anthony Franklin (21.23) third.
Cole, the three-time MEAC Athlete of the Week, is also ranked second in the 60 meters (6.69).
NSU owns the top three spots in the 5,000 (
Meshack Kipchirchir,
Evans Cheruiyot,
Isa Suleiman), the 4x400 relay (3:12.08) and the heptathlon (
Jahquan Christopher, 4,545 points).
The Spartan women boast the top ranking this year in the 200 meters, with
Malika Pride running a 23.74 earlier this month.
Fridah Koech is No. 1 in the 5,000 meters (19:15.12),
Indya Richards is first in the 60 hurdles (8.33) and long jump (19-11.5) and
Arieana Parker holds down the top spot in the weight throw (60-10).
Competition gets underway Monday at 2 p.m. with the start of the men's heptathlon. Day one will also see the MEAC hand out its first medals of the event, with the finals of the men's and women's long jump and 5,000 meters.
Tuesday's action begins at 9 a.m. with the conclusion of the heptathlon and beginning of the women's pentathlon. Wednesday's final day starts at 9:30 a.m. with the women's pole vault. Running events start at 12:30 p.m. with the women's mile.
Wednesday's final day of competition will streamed on the MEAC Digital Network's YouTube page.
Tickets are on sale through the VBSC and will also be on sale on-site throughout the event. There will be NO cash sales. Tickets are $10 for Monday, $15 on Tuesday and $20 on Wednesday.
On Monday, a three-day pass will be available for $15. On Tuesday, fans can purchase a two-day pass for $20.
The VBSC is currently operating at full capacity. However, fans will be required to wear masks at all times, regardless of vaccination status, unless they are actively eating or drinking.
