NORFOLK, Va. – The final race of the first day of the 2023 MEAC Outdoor Championships wrapped up without much light to spare, but Mercyline Kimaiyo certainly did her part in getting everyone home early.
 
The Norfolk State sophomore routed the competition in the 10,000 meters on Tuesday evening, finishing the event in 37 minutes, 9.91 seconds.  The second-place recipient crossed the line in 40:09.09, just under three minutes behind Kimaiyo.
 
In the team standings, Norfolk State sits in second place after the first day of events with 20.50 points. Morgan State leads with 32 points.
 
Another Spartan earned a spot on the podium on Tuesday: sophomore Leslie Young. The 2022 MEAC Field Outstanding Performer earned six points for her team with a third place finish in the discus throw (132-9).
 
Brooklyn Robinson narrowly missed out on a podium finish, but racked up pivotal points for the Spartans by taking fourth in the high jump. The freshman from Prince George, Va. cleared a height of 5 feet, 2.25 inches.
 
After one day of competition in the heptathlon, Essence Shaw stands in sixth with 2,253 points.
 
The championships resume at William "Dick" Price Stadium on Tuesday at 9 a.m.