Gambian distance runner Ansu Sowe will be the first Mustang on the track in the 2012 NJCAA Division I Outdoor National Track Meet that begins Tuesday in Levelland, TX when he runs in the men’s 10,000m at 8:50pm (10:50pm NY time). Then on Wednesday, the Mustangs will have nine student-athletes competing in seven events starting with the women’s 4x100m taking place at 1:45pm (3:45pm NY time) and ending the day with the men’s 4x400m at 7:00pm (9:00pm NY time). The national meet culminates for Monroe on Thursday with Lithuanian discuss thrower Tautvydas Kieras and Columbian pole vaulter Francisco Escobar, both of whom are ranked among the nation’s best. Monroe’s schedule in the track nationals
“Ansu’s 10,000 is a good way to open the meet for us,” said Coach Mark Goodman. “We think he’s going to do very well and that’s going to set the tone for the rest of our week. We’re going in as a team and the mutual support between our athletes should boost us all. We’re excited, but confident that our year of hard work will pay off.”
Sowe is ranked #3 in the 10,000m and Kieras has logged the nation’s best discus throw, having won the College Man’s Discus Throw at the recent Penn Relays. Escobar is ranked at #12 in the pole vault.
Both Melika Lewis and Cassey Griffith will compete in the women’s 100m. Manazia Kelley will be running in the women’s 200m and Tyra Jamison will represent Monroe in the women’s 400m hurdles.
Monroe will have four relay teams in action at the nationals. The women’s 4x100m will feature Kelley, Griffith, Jamison, and Lewis. Those same four will run the women’s 4x400m.
Combinations of Jerrod Worthington, Jamaal James, Jaymen Teemer, Yanik Duffus, and Jason Hewitt will compete in both the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays.
Here’s the complete NJCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Performance List.