Benedict Track Teams Fare Well At Samford Open

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama  --  The Benedict College men's and women's indoor track and field teams competed in the Samford Open over the weekend at the Birmingham Crossplex and had some exceptional performances.  Dessie Demlew captured Benedict's only win of the weekend, winning the 5000 meter run with a season-best time of 14:53. He also finished sixth in the men's 3000 meter run with a season-best time of 8:35.19.

Marc Sutton placed fourth in the weight throw with a distance of 16.26 meters (53 feet, 4 1/4 inches).

Ediberto Crisanto also ran a personal best time in the 5000 meter run with a 16:12 and the 3000 meter run with a time of 9:10.78.

Teammate Haregot Gebreyesus also ran a season's best time of 15:51 in the 5000 meter run and 9:11.78 in the 3000 meter run.

Naquan Adams finished ninth in the high jump by clearing 1.95 meters (6 feet, 4 3/4 inches).

The women's team also had good weekend with Karel Ziketh making it to the finals in the women's 60 meter hurdles race against a high-powered professional field. She finished eighth overall with a time of 8.63 in the prelims and 8.75 in the finals. She is currently ranked No. 10 in the NCAA Division II ranking.

Lea Tshikaya made her way onto the NCAA ranking as well in the 400 meter dash. She ran a season's best time of 57.08, setting a Benedict indoor school record. She finished 14th overall.

Jenella John also broke the school record in the 800 meter run with a 2:16.46.

Ashley Wingo broke her own school record in the weight throw with a mark of 13.16 meters (43 feet, 2 ¼ inches). She also finished 13th in the shot put with a mark of 11.67 meters (38 feet, 3 1/2 inches).

The women's team broke the school record in the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:55.40. They finished seventh overall.

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION