NORFOLK, Va. --- The Norfolk State women's track and field team kicked off the MEAC Outdoor Championships with a strong showing on Thursday at William "Dick" Price Stadium, highlighted by a clean sweep of the podium in the 10,000 meters.
 
Morgan State currently leads the meet with 18 points, followed by North Carolina Central (16), Delaware State (15), Norfolk State (13), and Howard (8).
 
Mercyline Kimaiyo led the Spartans in the 10,000 meters with a gold medal finish in 39:27.00, followed closely by Abigael Chebet (39:29.93) and Sonia Koech (39:35.36) to secure silver and bronze, respectively.
 
Aniah Kennerson added to the team's medal count, earning bronze in the high jump with a mark of five feet, six inches. Essence Shaw got off to a strong start in the heptathlon, ending the day in third place with 2,755 points.
 
Sophomore Daena Dyer advanced to the 400-meter hurdles finals, placing eighth with a time of 1:03.92.
 
Senior Leslie Young finished fourth in the discus throw with a toss of 139 feet, four inches.
 
The MEAC Outdoor Championships resume on Friday at 9 a.m. with continued heptathlon events.
 
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