Jackson State track and field reported on May 10 that the team concluded the first day of the SWAC Outdoor Championships with four podium finishes, five athletes qualifying for finals, and a new school record. Robert Salhab III set a new Jackson State record in the men’s hammer throw with a distance of 54.78 meters, earning him a bronze medal.
The event also saw freshman Malayna Mallory reach the podium by finishing second in the women’s hammer throw. Mallory achieved two personal bests during her series, with her top mark at 53.67 meters securing her a silver medal.
In distance events, Collins Kibet won silver and Duncan Koima took bronze in the men’s 10,000-meter race. Kibet finished in 32:35.90 while Koima crossed at 32:50.30.
Three Jackson State runners—Duncan Koima (4:04.17), Fabian Campbell (4:10.75), and Godfrey Kimutai (4:07.07)—qualified for finals in the men’s 1500-meter race after placing among the top nine finishers; their final will take place Tuesday night. Joan Koech qualified for the women’s 1500-meter final with a time of 4:59.06.
Senior Sedgwrick Pitts Jr., another qualifier from day one, ran a time of 21.08 seconds in his heat for the men’s 200-meter dash and will compete again in Tuesday’s final at 8 p.m.
Competition is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning at 10:30 with action beginning in the men’s decathlon’s opening hurdles event.
