CLEMSON, S.C. – The Norfolk State men's track & field team opened the 2025–26 indoor season with an impressive showing at the Clemson Opener on Friday, Dec. 5, recording 14 top-10 finishes across nine events, including six podium performances.
The Spartans day was highlighted in the men's 400 meters as Vincent Bond and Shamar Heard placed second and third with times of 47.87 and 48.05, respectively. Only Florida A&M's William Shelton edged the duo with a winning time of 47.40.
Freshmen Xaiver McGreal and Chancelor Watson made an immediate impact in the high jump, tying for third after both cleared 2.01 meters to secure a spot on the podium.
Jaymes Saunders turned in a standout performance in multiple events, finishing second in the long jump with a leap of 7.51 meters, while teammate Kristopher Stephens added a top-10 finish in eighth with a mark of 6.93 meters.
Saunders also advanced through the preliminaries of the 60-meter hurdles, placing fifth in the finals with a time of 7.96 after a 8.07 qualifying run.
Rounding out the Spartans' podium finishes, Jayden Gordon captured third in the triple jump with a distance of 14.62 meters.
Additional top performers included Atrell Williams placing fourth in the shot put (15.91m), Nimporembere Drogba earning fourth in the 800 meters (2:00.24), and the men's 4x400 relay team posting a strong fourth-place time of 3:11.83.
In other action, Chazdon Willison tied for eighth in the high jump (1.91m), while Rahkeem Faison finished ninth in the preliminaries of the men's 60-meter dash.
Norfolk State returns to action in the new year at the VCU Ram Invite, hosted at the Virginia Beach Sports Center, home of the MEAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
