Norfolk State Track & Field Programs Look to Continue Momentum Ahead of 2024-25 Campaign

The Norfolk State track and field programs enter the 2024-25 track season with lots of momentum, following a successful fall this year and a successful season last year. 

The Spartans took home both MEAC Cross Country titles this fall, painting the target on their backs heading into the track and field season. 

“Our goal is to become the first school in MEAC history to win six championships this season,” director of track & field programs Kenneth Giles said. “We started the season off right, now we just have to continue the momentum.” 

The Norfolk State men’s and women’s track teams open the indoor season on Thursday, Dec. 5 in Lynchburg, Va. The anticipated debut will come at the Liberty Kickoff and continue into the weekend with the distance team traveling to Boston, Mass. on Saturday, Dec. 7 for the Sharon Volyear-Danville Opener. 

A reliable group of distance will lead the Norfolk State track team led again, headlined by Mercyline Kimaiyo and Gidion Sigei. Both runners represented the Spartans well on the national stages this fall and last season. 

“Our program starts and ends with Mercyline,” Giles said. “She puts this program on her back and is an exceptional leader for this school.” 

Last season the women’s team took second place at both the indoor and outdoor MEAC Championships while the men’s squad took home both of those titles. The women’s team looks to get back on top while the men’s team looks to repeat all three championships. 

Norfolk State brings back plenty of talent to its men’s team. Sigei holds school records in the 5,000 meters (indoor) and the 10,000 meters (outdoor), and the Spartans return all four members of the record-breaking 4x400 relay team: Tafari Bishop, Premier Wynn, Jahquan Christopher, and Vincent Bond Jr. 

“We expect big things from Wynn during his second season,” Giles said. “He comes back even more experienced than last season and we are excited to see his development.” 

Wynn represented Team USA at the U20 World Championships in the 400-meter hurdles last summer. He also earned runner-up honors at the MEAC Championships in the same event and represented the Spartans at the NCAA Regional Preliminaries last summer. 

NSU also boasts a group of newcomers looking to make an immediate impact this indoor and outdoor season. 

“We’re excited about Donovan Terry, Julian Ward, and Jaymes Sanders,” Giles said. “They are special athletes that will make a strong impact to our program right from the beginning.” 

The women’s side sees returning stars, along with newcomers waiting to make an impact in a Spartan uniform. Kimayo and Sandui are ready to lead the Spartans’ women’s squad to new heights this season. 

“They are one of the best one-two punches in our conference,” Giles said. “They lead this team on and off the track.”

Norfolk State also returns Brooklyn Robinson, the school record holder in the 60-meter hurdles (indoor) and the 100-meter hurdles (outdoor).  

“We look for her to continue to make an impact for this squad,” Giles said. “She will be a good leader for our younger student-athletes.” 

Giles also added a plethora of student-athletes that he believes will make an immediate impact on the squad including transfer Brandi Hall, and freshman twins Kandynce Taylor and Kalyncia Taylor. 

“We expect these athletes to come in and work hard,” Giles said. “They will make a strong impact in our conference from day one.” 

This year’s indoor schedule sees the Spartans compete in their last three meets in the Norfolk area at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. He hopes that fans will take the opportunity to watch the Spartans just off campus. 

“We are excited to be at home from February to March,” said Giles. “It’s not often that we get the opportunity to be that close to home for a long period.”