Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Onyekwelu captures C-USA long jump title
2/20/2021 9:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, BRAA, Track & Field/Cross Country
Several Blue Raiders in line for championships at Indoor T&F Championships
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Middle Tennessee individuals turned in strong showings on opening day at the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships here Saturday.
No surprise, the highlight of the day for the Blue Raiders came in the jumps as Middle Tennessee has been historically dominant in those events during the illustrious career of Hall of Fame coach Dean Hayes.
Benjamin Onyekwulu won the men's long jump with an effort of 7.27 to bring home the only title for the Blue Raiders Saturday. Though he didn't earn gold, Erhire Omamuyouwi delivered a lifetime best in the high jump and finished second. His 2.17 actually tied for first; however, Omamuyouwi had a scratch and Southern Miss' Todd Corvell did not, earning him the narrow victory. Blue Raider Kyle Teague was just outside of a Top 8 performance, finishing ninth with a 1.89.
"Those were the two highlights of the day," Hayes said. "We are doing fine. We were limited in the number of players we brought but the ones we have here are doing quite well. It was a good day all around."
Middle Tennessee's quartet of Stephan Mengich, Pierre Nickson, Isaiah Stravel and Brian Rono finished fifth in the distance medley with a time of 10:24.31 to earn points for the Blue Raiders, who stand in fifth place with 22 points through the first day.
Several Blue Raiders put themselves in title contention during Saturday's prelims.
After winning the long jump earlier in the day, Onyekwelu finished fifth overall in qualifying for the 60-meter finals with a 6.84. He will be seeking his second title of the championships Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.
The Blue Raiders will have two athletes competing in the 400-meter men's finals after Jaquez Torian and Matthew Stewart earned a spot following successful runs in the prelims. Nickson just missed a spot in the final with a 10th place finish in qualifying. Michael Fuqua also competed.
Rono will compete in the 800-meter final after turning in a 1:58.42 time in qualifying, the fifth-best time of the prelims. Mengich was one second from earning an opportunity in the 800. Stravel competed in the one-mile run but did not qualify for the finals.
On the women's side, senior Cecilia Francis turned on the burners in the 60-meter and finished first in qualifying with a 7.84. She will seek a gold medal Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Francis just missed earning a spot in the 800-meter final, finishing ninth in qualifying – one-hundredth of a second out of the top eight.
Eusila Chepkemei finished first in qualifying in the 800-meter event with a time of 2:12.46 and will seek a title run Sunday. Francisca Jebor also competed but did not earn a spot in the top eight.
Agnes Abrocquah finished third in qualifying for the 400-meter with a 56.31 and will run in the finals Sunday. Glory Nyenke also competed but did not qualify.
Championship action resumes with the men's triple jump Sunday morning at 10.
No surprise, the highlight of the day for the Blue Raiders came in the jumps as Middle Tennessee has been historically dominant in those events during the illustrious career of Hall of Fame coach Dean Hayes.
Benjamin Onyekwulu won the men's long jump with an effort of 7.27 to bring home the only title for the Blue Raiders Saturday. Though he didn't earn gold, Erhire Omamuyouwi delivered a lifetime best in the high jump and finished second. His 2.17 actually tied for first; however, Omamuyouwi had a scratch and Southern Miss' Todd Corvell did not, earning him the narrow victory. Blue Raider Kyle Teague was just outside of a Top 8 performance, finishing ninth with a 1.89.
"Those were the two highlights of the day," Hayes said. "We are doing fine. We were limited in the number of players we brought but the ones we have here are doing quite well. It was a good day all around."
Middle Tennessee's quartet of Stephan Mengich, Pierre Nickson, Isaiah Stravel and Brian Rono finished fifth in the distance medley with a time of 10:24.31 to earn points for the Blue Raiders, who stand in fifth place with 22 points through the first day.
Several Blue Raiders put themselves in title contention during Saturday's prelims.
After winning the long jump earlier in the day, Onyekwelu finished fifth overall in qualifying for the 60-meter finals with a 6.84. He will be seeking his second title of the championships Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.
The Blue Raiders will have two athletes competing in the 400-meter men's finals after Jaquez Torian and Matthew Stewart earned a spot following successful runs in the prelims. Nickson just missed a spot in the final with a 10th place finish in qualifying. Michael Fuqua also competed.
Rono will compete in the 800-meter final after turning in a 1:58.42 time in qualifying, the fifth-best time of the prelims. Mengich was one second from earning an opportunity in the 800. Stravel competed in the one-mile run but did not qualify for the finals.
On the women's side, senior Cecilia Francis turned on the burners in the 60-meter and finished first in qualifying with a 7.84. She will seek a gold medal Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Francis just missed earning a spot in the 800-meter final, finishing ninth in qualifying – one-hundredth of a second out of the top eight.
Eusila Chepkemei finished first in qualifying in the 800-meter event with a time of 2:12.46 and will seek a title run Sunday. Francisca Jebor also competed but did not earn a spot in the top eight.
Agnes Abrocquah finished third in qualifying for the 400-meter with a 56.31 and will run in the finals Sunday. Glory Nyenke also competed but did not qualify.
Championship action resumes with the men's triple jump Sunday morning at 10.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Women's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
/ Men's Cross Country and Track & Field
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