NORFOLK, Va. – Evans Cheruiyot won the gold medal in the 10,000 meters on Thursday to kick off the first day of the 2022 MEAC Outdoor Championships for the Norfolk State men.

Cheruiyot posted a time of 32 minutes, 21.55 seconds to win his second career conference 10K title. Teammate Meshack Kipchirchir placed second in a time of 32:55.05, while Isa Suleiman came in seventh and Lelei Too eighth.

In the field, both Joshua Sutton and Isaac Haywood cleared 6 feet, 6 inches to place third and fourth, respectively, in the high jump. The 6-6 clearance is a PR for Haywood.

Thanks to their depth in those two events, the Spartan men sit in first place with 34 points after three events.

In Thursday's prelims, Kai Cole and Anthony Franklin both advanced through to Saturday's final in the 200 meters and Jordan Williams did likewise in the 400 hurdles.

Through five events in the decathlon, Joseph Abiakam sits in third and Jahquan Christopher is in fourth place entering the second half of the competition.

Friday's second day of action starts at 9 a.m. with the conclusion of the men's decathlon.