NSU Spartans Clinch 7th Straight MEAC Track and Field Sweep

GREENSBORO, North Carolina – The Norfolk State men’s track and field team added another title to its MEAC championship legacy Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T, winning its seventh consecutive conference outdoor title and clinching its seventh straight sweep of the MEAC indoor and outdoor titles.

NSU amassed 145.5 points, comfortably ahead of runner-up North Carolina A&T’s 95, as the Spartans also recorded their fourth straight MEAC running triple crown since 2008 thanks to 2011-12 titles in men’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track.

The Spartans won five of the 10 track events contested on Saturday, including a pair of victories by junior Keith Nkrumah in the 110 and 400 meter hurdles. Nkrumah clocked personal-best times of 13.68 in the 110 hurdles final, and 50.40 in the 400 hurdles. The victories marked the first two MEAC gold medals in Nkrumah’s career. He tied with Florida A&M's Elias Chesire as the Most Outstanding Runner of the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship. Both tallied 20 points toward their team scores.

Two other Spartans also picked up their first career MEAC outdoor titles Saturday. Rookie Nathnael Meseret won the 1,500 meters in a PR of 3:53.62, and James Taylor won the 200 meters in 20.74 seconds.

NSU’s final win on Saturday came via Sean Holston, who repeated as MEAC 400 meter champion. Holston clocked a time of 46.01 seconds, .01 off his personal-best set in his 2011 MEAC victory. Holston was also runner-up to Taylor in the 200.

The Spartans also got solid performances from Vincent Brown, who ran a PR of 1:50.09 to place fourth place in the 800 meters, and Vincent Rono, who was third in the 3,000m steeplechase (9:55.98). Junior Amos Kipkosgei placed fifth in both the 1,500 and steeplechase, and Damtew Adnew was fourth in the steeplechase.

Kenneth Giles was named MEAC Outdoor Most Oustanding Men's Coach for leading the Spartans to their 25th conference title in his tenure (11 cross country, seven indoor and seven outdoor titles).

The Spartans will have a number of participants in the NCAA East Regional later this month in Jacksonville, Fla. Entries will be released in the coming weeks.

Final Results

COURTESY Matt Michalec, SID, NORFOLK STATE UNIVERSITY SPARTANS