North Carolina A&T had a great showing this weekend at the Jim Green Invitational at the University of Kentucky, with athletes cracking the NCAA Top 5 rankings in multiple events. They were highlighted by a stand-out performance by freshman, Randolph Ross. Ross, son of A&T coach Duane Ross, received social media attention for selecting A&T over Power 5 schools such as Iowa, South Carolina, and Ohio State. A 400m standout in high school, Ross opened up with freshman campaign with a blistering time of 45.85, defeating the field by more than a second. He also was a part of the NCAA # 1 4x400 squad who ran 3:06.06. Also, on that relay was NCAA Outdoor Runner-up Trevor Stewart.
Not to be outdone, the 60M specialists for A&T earned their place as a NCAA # 1s. Senior, Jaylen Mitchell defeats the field and earns his spot, running 6.61. Sophomore, Cambrea Sturgis runs 7.15 to earn her spot atop the NCAA Leaderboard. On the short hurdles side, Paula Salmon ran a NCAA # 1 as she runs 8.09 followed by her teammate Madeline Akobundu who ran 8.10 for NCAA # 2. The men's Distance Medley Relay of Morris Kimble, Trevor Stewart, Mar'Quise McGee, and Regan Kimtai have the NCAA # 2 with a time of 10:00.08. The women's 4x400 of Tori Ray, Cambrea Sturgis, Nilaja Florence, and Nia Lundy have the NCAA # 4 with a time of 3:40.65
North Carolina A&T were not the only athletes to crack the leaderboards. Take a look at some others who are on top of the NCAA at the moment:
Kiara Grant (Norfolk State)- At the Great Dane Classic at the Ocean Breeze in Staten Island, Grant wins by over second with a time of 23.25 for a NCAA # 1. Grant is coming off an All-American year in the 100m after a 6th place finish at NCAAs last year.
Martha Bissah (Norfolk State)- At the George Mason Invitational Father Diamond on Invitational on January 4th, Bissah, 2019 Indoor All-American in the 800, opens up with 4:48.67 in the Mile. The flat track conversion is 4:45.84. This has her currently at NCAA # 2.
Jordan Williams (Bethune-Cookman)- At the UAB Vulcan Invitational, Williams wins the 200m with a time of 21.43. This sits him at NCAA #12. He followed that up with a NCAA # 9 performance in the 400m, with a time of 47.55 An All-MEAC and NCAA Regional Qualifier, Williams looks to have an impressive senior campaign.
This was an exciting and eye-opening start of the year for HBCU athletes. Now that we are in the full swing of the Indoor Season, expect to see more athletes cracking the top of the NCAA. After that, on to some NCAA titles.
Comments