VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Norfolk State women's track and field team notched a total of five first-place finishes over the weekend at the East Coast Invitational at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

The Spartans brought home victories in the hurdles, middle distance, long distance, throws and multi-events, showcasing their depth in the first of three straight meets close to home in Virginia Beach.

Arieana Parker kicked things off with a win in the weight throw on Friday night, tossing a season-best 58 feet, 5.25 inches to edge out freshman teammate Leslie Young, who PRed (57-11) in finished as runner-up.

In the multis, sophomore Dahja Price set a new PR of her own by winning the event with 2,824 points. Teammates Jada Venters and Shirelle Linzy were second and third in the event, respectively.

Indya Richards continued her strong indoor season by setting new facility and school records in the 60-meter hurdles. Her winning time of 8.33 seconds also is a new personal best. Freshman Alyssa Thompson-Rowe, who had the fastest prelim time with a PR of 8.49 seconds, placed third in the finals in 8.65. Zion Smith finished in fifth.

NSU also had wins on the track from Kara Grant in the 800 and Fridah Koech in the 5,000 meters. The Spartans also got strong showings in the sprints from Malika Pride, who was second in both the 200 (24.41) and 500 (season-best 55.03) behind a post-collegiate athlete. De'Niya Gravely had NSU's top finish in the 60 meters, a fifth-placing showing.

Elsewhere in field events, Richards finished third in the long jump with a top leap of 19 feet, 6.75 inches. Young added to her strong weekend with a third-place showing in the shot put (42-4.75) and Destiny Hooks cleared 10 feet to place sixth in the pole vault.

The Spartans are back at the Virginia Beach Sports Center next Friday and Saturday for their own Kenneth Giles Invitational.