Abu, Rutto set new MT records

Friday, February 12

Nashville, TN

Middle Tennessee

Music City Challenge

2/13/2016 6:30:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

Eliud Rutto earns personal-best in 800 at ISU Classic

By: @MTAthletics

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On the final day of competition at the Music City Challenge, the Middle Tennessee track & field teams captured 11 top-five finishes, while Eliud Rutto captured third in the 800 meter at the ISU Classic.

Rutto, a junior from Eldoret, Kenya, raced to third in the 800 meter at the ISU Classic, finishing in Middle Tennessee indoor record time of 1:46.87. His career-best time ranks as the third-fastest in the NCAA and was the second fastest collegiate time at Iowa State.

"We really had a good day and were very competitive and I am happy with what everybody did," said head coach Dean Hayes. "We look forward to going to our next meet, the Conference USA Championships."

Akron's Clayton Murphy captured first and finished in 1:46.13, which ranks as the second fastest time in the country this season.

For the men's team at the Music City Challenge, Hillary Rono and Geoffry Cheruiyot placed first and second in the mile, respectively. Rono and Cheruiyot raced down to the wire with Rono capturing the title in 4:09.55, while Cheruiyot finished in 4:09.67.

Rono also finished fifth in the 3,000 meter, running the event for the first time in 2016. The Eldoret, Kenya native finished in 8:12.16, eclipsing his previous personal-best time of 8:20.10, which he set at the 2015 Commodore Invitational.

In the long jump, Atsu Nyamadi captured third after leaping a personal-best 7.57 meters (24-10). Nyamadi also competed in the shot put, finishing 11th after his 13.77 meter (45-2.25) toss.

Agnes Abu continues to impress for the Middle Tennessee women's squad, finishing second in the 800 meters in 2:05.71 and setting a Middle Tennessee record in the event. The previous time of 2:06.11 was set by Zamzam Sangau in 2010.

In the women's long jump, Elizabeth Dadzie notched a top-five finish for the Blue Raiders, leaping 6.17 meters (20-3).

Pershawna Williams and India Hammond also competed in the event. Williams captured sixth after jumping 6.08 meters (19-11.5), while Hammond finished 10^th in 5.87m (19-3.25).

Middle Tennessee continues competition at the Conference USA Championships in Birmingham, Alabama Feb. 24-25.

ISU Classic Results
800 Meter
3. Eliud Rutto (1:46.87)*

Men's Results
60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
13. Greg Cantrell (8.77)*

60 Meter
10. Charles Okeze (7.11)*
13. Atsu Nyamadi (7.161)*
14. Chaz Simmons (7.165)

Shot Put
11. Atsu Nyamadi (13.77m/45-2.25)
12. John Ampomah (12.14m/39-10)

Long Jump
3. Atsu Nyamadi (7.57m/24-10)*

Mile
1. Hillary Rono (4:09.55)
2. Geoffry Cheruiyot (4:09.67)*
15. Alden Dixon (4:14.54)

400 Meter
4. Ifiok Umoh (48.42)*
7. Adeniji Adedamola (49.14)*
20. Greg Cantrell (51.64)*

800 Meter
5. Sampson Laari (1:49.92)*
20. Atsu Nyamadi (2:01.22)

3,000 Meter
5. Hillary Rono (8:12.16)*
12. Shadrack Matelong (8:19.75)*
15. Amos Cheruiyot (8:25.35)

4x400-Meter Relay:
4. Charles Okeze, Sampson Laari, Ifiok Umoh, Adeniji Adedamola (3:16.17)

Women's Results
Shot Put
18. Elizabeth Dadzie (10.91m/35-9.5)*
24. Jessica Howell (9.05m/29-8.75)

60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
1. Elizabeth Dadzie (8.48)*
14. India Hammond (8.86)
19. Jessica Howell (9.10)

60 Meter
26. Doreen Agyei (8.03)

Long Jump
5. Elizabeth Dadzie (6.17m/20-3)*
6. Pershawna Williams (6.08m/19-11.5)-
10. India Hammond (5.87m/19-3.25)

Mile
11. Josphine Kiptebeny (4:51.94)*
19. Rhema Cheruiyot (5:00.80)
20. Gladys David (5:00.41)*
21. Hannah Maina (5:00.49)
41. Rachel Kigen (5:15.13)*

400 Meter
9. Loveth Odia (55.01)*
42. Jessica Howell (1:01.39)*

800 Meter
2. Agnes Abu (2:05.71)*
8. Susan Aneno (2:09.96)*
20. Shaina Johnson (2:15.08)

4x400-Meter Relay:
2. Taylor Day, Barbara Vilson, Loveth Odia, Shaina Johnson (3:46.18)
4. Agnes Abu, Susan Aneno, Elizabeth Dadzie, Josphine Kiptebeny (3:48.21)

* Personal Best