There’s no doubt about it, Norfolk State has a target on its back this spring. 

The Spartans head into the 2023-24 track & field season with all the momentum in the world. The program took home MEAC Cross Country titles in dominant fashion on both the men’s and women’s sides this fall, leaving a monumental gap between NSU and the rest of the conference.

“The goal is to win six championships this year, three for the men, and three for the women,” director of track & field programs Kenneth Giles said. “We’ve started out on the right foot.” 

The Norfolk State men’s and women’s track & field teams open the indoor season on Saturday, Jan. 13 in New York, N.Y. The highly anticipated debut will be made at the HBCU Showcase Sponsored by KPMG, taking place at the Armory Track & Field Center.

Both teams came to perform at the HBCU Showcase last year, finishing runner-up in the women’s division and third in the men’s competition. The 2024 edition of the meet will be broadcast live on USATF.TV and Peacock. 

The Norfolk State track programs will once again be anchored by a fierce, reliable group of distance runners, led by MEAC individual champions Mercyline Kimaiyo and Gidion Sigei. Both runners took the conference by storm upon in their first year in Norfolk, representing the Spartans exceptionally at national stages.

“Mercyline has really stepped it up and given us that we need from an upperclassmen perspective,” Giles said. “She did a great job during cross country season, and I really expect her to do even better come track season.”

The Norfolk State men swept the 2023 MEAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships for the second consecutive year and look to repeat the feat this time around. In addition to a historic group of long-distance returners, the Spartans bring back prolific sprinter Kai Cole.

Cole swept the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash events at last year’s MEAC Outdoor Championships, bringing his total of conference individual titles to six. Alongside veteran teammate Anthony Franklin, the two lead a versatile group of sprinters that could wreck serious damage at meets this season.

“I call him the great Kai Cole,” Giles said. “He’s a Hall of Famer in waiting, and he’s done a great job. I’m looking for him to close out a storybook career.”

Outside of distance events, the women’s team returns a strong crew of hurdlers with experience performing at the conference level. Indya Richards, Norfolk State’s school record holder in the 60 meter hurdles, pairs up with sophomore Brooklyn Robinson to form a talented tandem. 

“Both of those student-athletes have proven that they can compete in the conference,” Giles said.

One of the most dependable point-scorers on the women’s side will also return for her junior season, local product Leslie Young. An exceptional thrower, Young was named Most Outstanding Field Performer at both the 2022 and 2023 MEAC Outdoor Championships. 

“Leslie’s leadership shows in her performance, while Mercyline is a little more of a vocal leader,” Giles said. “We have leaders that show it from all angles, and I believe we go as those student-athletes go.”

Leading the men’s field events, Isaac Haywood looks to build on a stellar 2022-23 campaign. The senior from Louisa County won the MEAC Indoor title in triple jump with a leap of 50 feet, 0.5 inches, receiving VaSID All-State Second Team accolades for both the indoor and outdoor campaigns. 

Although leaning on proven veterans to guide the squad, Norfolk State boasts a bountiful bunch of newcomers that will provide an immediate boost. On the men’s side, Andwele Shurland (pole vault) and William Richardson (throws) will bolster the Spartans’ dominance in field events.

“I’m looking for Andwele to be an immediate impact performer for us,” Giles said. “I expect him to win the conference in the pole vault and I expect him to jump well for us.”

Nyla Ward, who sat out the 2022-23 campaign, put her talents on display at Campbell for the bulk of her career. A spectacular athlete who excels in both the sprints and jumps, Giles expects her to effortlessly return to form during the upcoming season.

“We have a healthy Nyla Ward,” Giles said. “She will provide that punch in the 60 meters and the long jump.”

Giles hopes to see the team perform at a national stage with as much confidence as the dominance the program has established during conference action. This team has been built for regional success, picking up several additions from junior colleges around the country that have established times and marks to compete at the highest levels.

With a proven track record – no pun intended – of developing world-class student-athletes to maximize their full potential, even sending multiple Spartans to the Olympics, Giles resumé speaks for itself as a recruiting pitch. Combine that with access to the top track surfaces and unrivaled facilities in the conference, the script writes itself. 

“I tell them look, if you want to come to a program that is going to make history, come to Norfolk State. We can get you there,” Giles said. “I tell them I can’t promise a lot, but I can promise if they come here, they are going to win some championships and they will graduate, and they will have a good time doing it.”