It was Conference Week at the NCAA Circuit and several Nigerian athletes won laurels for their respective schools and are on course to make the cut for the NCAA Indoor Championships happening next month.
SEC
In just his second ever indoor meet, Auburn Freshman Kayinsola Ajayi stormed to GOLD in the men’s 60m at the SEC Meet in an equal Personal Best (PB) of 6.60s ahead of Wanya McCoy (6.63s) and Myles Thomas (6.64s).
Samuel Ogazi placed 5th in the men’s 400m final in 46.56s, after clocking a new PB of 46.27s in the heats.
Ella Onojuvwevwo narrowly missed out on making the final in the women’s 400m where she ran a PB of 52.47s to place 9th overall.
BIG 12
Rosemary Chukwuma led a 60m sweep for Texas Tech as she regained her Big 12 title from 2022 with a time of 7.23s (7.18s in the heats). Her compatriot Success Umukoro placed 3rd in 7.28s behind teammate, Alyssa Colbert in 7.26s.
Chukwuma returned an SB of 22.90s over the 200m to finish 3rd ahead of Umukoro who placed 4th in 23.21s.
Ezekiel Nathaniel settled for Bronze in the men’s 400m as his time of 45.73s was the third fastest overall, just behind Michael Joseph (45.46s) and Shaemar Uter (45.68s).
Imaobong Nse Uko finished 8th overall in the women’s 400m with a time of 53.27s. She recorded a SB of 52.67s in the heats.
Adaobi Tabugbo was the Bronze medallist in the women’s 60m hurdles with a finishing time of 8.22s behind Emelia Chatfield (7.95s) and teammate Raniyah Jones (8.05s). She clocked a PB of 8.13s in the heats.
Temitope Adeshina extended her winning streak by claiming the women’s High Jump honour with a vertical leap of 1.90m. This is the third time this season that the Texas Tech freshman has scaled 1.90m and above.
Teammate Best Erhire claimed a Silver medal in the men’s High Jump with a new PB of 2.23m.
C-USA
Stephen Eloji ran a winning time of 7.77s, which tied the Championships Record to claim the men’s 60m hurdles title ahead of Jordani Woodley (7.83s) and Hendrick Hundl (7.88s).
BIG 10
Dubem Amene finished 3rd in the men’s 400m, clocking a time of 46.34s. Mason Louis emerged winner in a PB of 45.89s ahead of Jalen Williams in 46.33s.
Victory Godah was 6th in the women’s 60m in 7.38s.
