VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – The Norfolk State women's track & field team excelled this weekend at the Division III Pre-National Meet at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, preparing for the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track & Field Championships.
 
Over the course of Friday and Saturday's competition, Norfolk State won six events and accumulated over 20 top-five finishes.
 
Junior Leslie Young and freshman Yvone Sandui got the Spartans started with individual victories on Friday in the weight throw and 5,000 meters, respectively. Young recorded a mark of 56 feet, 5.75 inches while Sandui completed the race in 18 minutes, 7.9 seconds.
 
Indya Richards enjoyed quite the weekend, posting strong performances in both the track and field categories. The senior won the 60 meter hurdles in 8.52 seconds, while finishing third in the 60 meter dash (7.67) and long jump (18-4.25).
 
Essence Shaw won the women's pentathlon with a total of 2,586 points, with freshman Lexa Hunter taking second (2,455). Shaw finished first in the event's 60 meter hurdles, long jump, and high jump portions on the way to victory.
 
Nyla Ward took second in the long jump with a leap of 19 feet, 1.25 inches to cap off a spectacular Friday for the Spartans.
 
Freshman Leanna Lewis won the 400 meters on Saturday with a personal record time of 55.97 seconds, while Armani Harris followed closely behind at 56.77 seconds for third.
 
Robinson earned third in the 60 meter hurdles in 8.62 seconds, taking fifth in the high jump (5-1.0). Aniah Kennerson placed third in the latter event, clearing five feet, 3.0 inches.
 
The Spartans put together a blisteringly dominant performance in the 800 meters, sweeping the positions 1-5. Jahmei Wyatt took the individual victory (2:14.56), while Kara Grant (2:15.51), Mercyline Kimaiyo (2:17.61), Sandui (2:!7.63), and Emani Thompson (2:18.01) rounded out the top five.
 
Allysia Farrar recorded a personal-best time of 24.45 seconds in the 200 meters, good enough for a second-place finish. Young posted a runner-up performance as well on Saturday, taking second in the shot put (43-11.75).
 
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