CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Mercyline Kimaiyo shattered a 13-year-old school record on Friday, a historic performance to lead the Spartans at the Virginia Challenge.  

Kimaiyo completed the 5,000 meters in 17 minutes, 14.49 seconds, the best mark in that event of her collegiate career. The time emphatically beat the previous outdoor school record set by Jennifer Chichester (18:04.52) in 2010 by 50.03 seconds.  

Kimaiyo's mark ranks second in MEAC history, just under eight seconds from the conference record. Finishing seventh on Saturday in a field of talented competition, Kimaiyo now holds three school records in just her first year at Norfolk State: 5,000 meters (indoor), 10,000 meters (outdoor), and 5,000 meters (outdoor).  

Arieana Parker and Leslie Young got the Spartans' week started with strong performances in the hammer throw on Thursday. Parker took 24th with a toss of 165 feet, 8 inches, while Young posted 137-7.  

One week after setting a personal record of 56.69 in the 400 meters at the 2023 NSU Invitational, junior Armani Harris posted another strong time of 57.02 in Charlottesville on Friday. She finished her weekend with a 25.40 in the 200 meters on Saturday. 

A weather delay forced a late start to the final day of events, but that didn't stop freshmen Essence Shaw and Tamesia Pinnix from posting impressive numbers in the long jump. The pair finished 27th and 28th, respectively, with leaps of 16-5.75 and 16-0.5.

The Spartans return to action next weekend in Philadelphia for the Penn Relays.