Raiders conclude C-USA Indoor Track & Field Championships

Wednesday, February 24

Birmingham, Ala.

Middle Tennessee

Conference USA Championships

2/25/2016 5:38:00 PM | Track & Field/Cross Country

Men third, women fouth

By: @MTAthletics

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Middle Tennessee track & field teams finished the final day of competition at the Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships with the men finishing third and the women fourth at the Birmingham CrossPlex. Susan Aneno was named C-USA Freshman of the Year.

Western Kentucky captured the men's team title and finished with 135 points, while UTSA finished second with 120 points. The Blue Raider men tallied 113.50 points for third.

On the women's side, UTEP earned the team title, amassing 120 points, while Rice finished second with 106. WKU captured third with 102 points, while the Blue Raiders finished fourth with 95 points.

"Very happy with how both teams performed today," said head coach Dean Hayes. "They really competed hard and it will be fun to see what we can do this spring. We look forward to having the championships at home."

The 800 meter was a shining moment for the Blue Raiders during the two-day championship event.

On the men's side, the Blue Raiders finished 1-2-3, and were led by Eliud Rutto, who finished in 1:51.45 claiming the individual title. Sampson Laari (1:52.43) and Hillary Rono (1:52.74) placed seconds and third, respectively.

Newcomer Aneno led the MT women in the 800 meter, capturing the top spot in 2:11.02. Agnes Abu finished second in 2:11.42, while Abike Egbeniyi placed third in 2:11.62.

While Rutto and Laari shined in the 800 meter, the duo also aided the Blue Raider point total in another event.

In the mile, Rutto placed second in 4:08.02, while Laari was third in 4:09.71. Geoffry Cheruiyot also scored points for MT and finished sixth in 4:10.99.

Senior India Hammond earned the second-best finish for the Blue Raider women's team on the second day of competition, placing second in the triple jump with a season-best 12.81 meter leap (42-0.5). Pershawna Williams also netted points for MT, bounding 12.21 meters (40-0.75) for seventh.

In the men's triple jump, three Blue Raiders finished in the top eight, earning nine points. Phillip Smith jumped a career-best 15.61 meters (51-2.75) to place third. Vincent Okot bounded 15.53 meters (50-11.5) for fourth, while Atsu Nyamadi finished seventh after leaping 14.79 meters (48-6.25).

Nyamadi completed the heptathlon earlier in the day, capturing the individual title with 5,465 points over UTSA's Adrian Riley, who amassed 5,109 points.

"Atsu set the Ghana national record in the heptathlon and put together a great performance," said Hayes.

In the final three events, Nyamadi won the 60-meter hurdles in 8.50 and placed second in the 1,000 meter in 2:45.93. The Ghana native also cleared four meters (13-1.5) in the Pole Vault for fourth.

"Distance medley relay teams ran well last night and we had some good performances today," Hayes said. "There is some good potential for us to grow and to be positive about the future."

As a team, the Blue Raider track & field teams will not compete again until March 18-19 at the Alabama Relays to begin the outdoor season.

The Blue Raiders that qualify in the top 16 in the NCAA in their event will compete again at the NCAA Indoor Championships March 11-12 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Men's Results

Women's Results

Shot Put
13. John Ampomah (12.97m/42-6.75)*

Triple Jump
3. Phillip Smith (15.61m/51-2.75)*
4. Vincent Okot (15.53m/50-11.5)
7. Atsu Nyamadi (14.79m/48-6.25)

Mile
2. Eliud Rutto (4:08.02)
3. Sampson Laari (4:09.71)*
6. Geoffry Cheruiyot (4:10.99)*
9. Alden Dixon (4:14.54)
12. Hillary Rono (4:18.78)

800 Meter
1. Eliud Rutto (1:51.45)
2. Sampson Laari (1:52.43)
3. Hillary Rono (1:52.74)

3,000 Meter
3. Geoffry Cheruiyot (8:19.78)
4. Hillary Rono (8:21.65)
9. Shadrack Matelong (8:28.59)
16. Amos Cheruiyot (8:35.53)
21. Alden Dixon (8:39.18)

4x400-Meter Relay
4. Charles Okeze, Ifiok Umoh, Adeniji Adedamola, Sampson Laari (3:15.16)*

Heptathlon
Total Points
1. Atsu Nyamadi (5,465)*

60-Meter Hurdles
1. Atsu Nyamadi (8.50)

Pole Vault
4. Atsu Nyamadi (4.00m/13-1.50)*

1,000 Meter
2. Atsu Nyamadi (2:45.93)*

*-Personal Best

High Jump
5. Pershawna Williams (1.70m/5-7)
8. Barbara Vilson (1.70m/5.7)

Triple Jump
2. India Hammond (12.81m/42-0.5)
7. Pershawna Williams (12.21m/40-0.75)
17. Atarah Abdullah-Muhammad (11.11m/36-5.5)

Mile
4. Agnes Abu (4:56.83)*
8. Josphine Kiptebeny (5:00.39)
14. Rhema Cheruiyot (5:04.36)
37. Julia Kitevski (5:40.11)

60-Meter Hurdles
7. India Hammond (8.61)
8. Elizabeth Dadzie (8.61)

800 Meter
1. Susan Aneno (2:11.02)
2. Agnes Abu (2:11.42)
3. Abike Egbeniyi (2:11.62)*

3,000 Meter
6. Gladys David (9:47.58)
8. Josphine Kiptebeny (9:56.55)
9. Hannah Maina (9:59.86)
11. Rhema Cheruiyot (10:01.61)
27. Rachel Kigen (10:20.74)*

4x400-Meter Relay
3. Taylor Day, Susan Aneno, Loveth Odia, Shaina Johnson (3:44.97)*