NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State's Mercyline Kimaiyo was named Most Outstanding Runner on Tuesday afternoon, as the Spartans moved up in the standings to finish second at the 2023 MEAC Women's Indoor Track and Field Championships.
 
The result marked the Spartans' second consecutive runner-up finish at the conference's indoor finale, as Norfolk State ended the meet with 116 points. Howard took the title with 235 points.
 
Kimaiyo racked up individual victories in the 5000 meters, 3000 meters, and mile over the course of three days of competition, while also leading the distance-medley relay team to a first-place finish.
 
Kimaiyo got the week off to a blazing start, shattering Norfolk State's 5000-meter record, set by herself just a few weeks prior, finishing with a time of 17:47.82. She finished miles ahead of the competition, with Howard's Breanna McDonald finishing second at 19:02.82, 75 seconds behind Kimaiyo.
 
NSU picked up crucial points in field events on Monday, starting with Arieana Parker's second-place and Leslie Young's third-place finish in the weight throw. Parker provided a 62-foot, one-inch launch, with Young tallying 58-feet, four inches.
 
Brooklyn Robinson kept the momentum going by taking fourth in the high jump, clearing a height of five feet, 1.75 inches.
 
NSU's distance medley relay squad of Kara Grant, Tynniesia Wilson, Kimaiyo, and Armani Harris finished in first with a time of 12:02.20.
 
Norfolk State entered the final day of competition in third place, quickly picking up a variety of points in the pole vault. Destiny Hooks took third with a height of nine feet, 6.25 inches, while D'Nysha Brightful followed closely behind at nine feet, 2.25 inches. Cierra Johnson earned sixth with seven feet, 6.5 inches.
 
Young piled onto her successful week with a second-place finish in the shot put, recording a 45-foot, seven-inch toss.
 
Kimaiyo and Grant took first and second, respectively, in the mile, keeping the momentum going. Kimaiyo finished in 5:04.92, while Grant clocked a 5:06.44.
 
Indya Richards and Brooklyn Robinson both scored in the 60-meter hurdles as well. Richards grabbed a spot on the podium with an 8.46, while Robinson finished sixth at 8.79.
 
Wilson nearly pulled off a thrilling victory in the 800 meters, finishing just behind Howard's Dasia Wilson at 2:12.69.
 
Kimaiyo closed out her week with a dominant victory in the 3000 meters, finishing in 10:23.09.