Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Dean Hayes Classic
Blue Raiders to host Dean Hayes Classic
2/6/2026 1:00:00 PM | Men's Cross Country and Track & Field, Women's Cross Country and Track & Field, Track & Field/Cross Country
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee Track & Field team is staying home in Murfreesboro to host the Dean Hayes Classic. The meet will be hosted at the Murphy Center on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Last Time Out
The Blue Raiders competed at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational in Louisville last weekend, where Middle Tennessee had 14 top five finishes and set 10 new personal bests.
Ten Blue Raiders found themselves on the podium at the invitational; Abraham Valenzuela, Wail Bourahli, Ross Evans and Solomon Sayo combined for a second-place finish in the Men's DMR, Privillege Chikara placed first in the Women's 800m and second in the Women's Mile, Chidinma Agu finished second in both the Women's 200m and 400m, Mustapha Bokpin topped the field in the Men's 60m, Joel Iheakolam finished second in the Men's Triple Jump, and Faith Nyathi and Odilia Jepchumba placed first and second in the Women's 5000m.
What to Watch for
Mustapha Bokpin continues to light up the track for Middle Tennessee. Bokpin has two times that have landed him first in Conference USA, in the 60m and the 200m. His 60m mark is 11th in NCAA Division 1, and his 200m mark is 31st. Bokpin has been named Conference USA Male Track Athlete of the Week three times this indoor season; the sprinter has won the award after every weekend that the Blue Raiders have competed this season.
Privillege Chikara has had a stellar senior campaign so far this indoor season. Chikara has two times that are second in Conference USA; the 800m and the mile. The distance runner took first place in the 800m and second place in the mile at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational this past weekend.
Evan Tomlinson has continued to find his groove for the Blue Raiders. The freshman has already earned CUSA Male Freshman of the Week honors this indoor season. Tomlinson's 60m and 200m times are both currently 12th in Conference USA and is 60m mark is first among freshmen in the conference.
Chidinma Agu had a breakout weekend in Louisville. The sophomore sprinter finished second in both the 200m and 400m last weekend at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational, and her mark in the 400m is seventh in CUSA.
Gabe Allen is emerging as one of the best freshman distance runners in Conference USA. Allen's mile time is eighth, his 3000m time is ninth and his 5000m time is third in CUSA. His marks in the mile and the 5000m are both the best of all freshmen in the conference.
Faith Nyathi took a first-place finish in the 5000m last weekend at the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational. The senior currently holds the second fastest time in the 5000m and the third fastest time in the 3000m in CUSA.
Joel Iheakolam continues to grow with each weekend of competition. The jumper has recorded a personal best in back-to-back indoor competitions this season, most recently last weekend in Louisville. Iheakolam's mark in the triple jump is currently fourth in Conference USA.
Keeping Track of the Action
Blue Raider fans can keep track of the action at the Dean Hayes Classic through the live results link or by watching on ESPN+ from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meet is slated to begin at 10:00 a.m. CT with the shot put and long jump events, with track events set to kick off at 1:00 p.m. with the hurdle preliminary heats. The events will conclude with the men and women's 4x400 relay.
Keeping up with the Blue Raiders
Keep up with Blue Raider cross country and track and field on Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider XC/Track & Field), Twitter (@MT_TrackField), and Instagram (@mt_trackfield).
Players Mentioned
