WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The North Carolina Central men's and women's track and field teams opened the indoor season at the JDL Fast Track for the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off on Saturday, Dec. 6. Laila Jackson and Zion Amadi both had first place finishes, which included Amadi moving up in the NCCU record books.

Amadi had dominant performances in the 200m and 400m seeded race. The sophomore finished first in the 400m distance at 47.78 seconds, moving him to third all-time at NCCU in the Division I era behind Gordon Lewis (47.11 – 2019) and Donnell Carter (47.70 – 2022). Amadi's time broke the previous meet record of 48.34 in 2019 by St. Augustine's Jalen Jones.

In the 200m race, Amadi placed second at 21.13 seconds, topping the school indoor record books. Lewis held that previous record as well, running 21.27 during the 2019-20 season. This was Amadi's second broken meet record, which was 21.72 seconds by Justin Hamilton of North Carolina A&T in 2017.

Jackson is back in stride for the track & field season after completing cross country last month. The Louisiana native ran a time of 2:13.73 in the women's 800m for a first place finish to open her final season as an Eagle.

Freshman Kaydence Daniels had a strong introduction in her first meet at NC Central. Daniels was second in the women's 200m at a time of 24.64.

In the field, two high jumpers earned second-place. Jonathan Raijon-Koger (1.99m) and Tia Lucas (1.74m) were on the podium in their season debuts.

After the holiday break, the Eagles will return to the track for the Dick Taylor Challenge on Jan. 16-17, hosted by North Carolina at the Eddie Smith Field House in Chapel Hill.   

NCCU's Top Three Finishes

Men 400m (Seeded): Zion Amadi – 47.78 (1^st)

Women 800m: Laila Jackson – 2:13.73 (1^st)

Men 200m (Seeded): Zion Amadi – 21.13 (2^nd)

Women 200m: Kaydence Daniels – 24.64 (2^nd)

Men High Jump: Jonathan Raijon-Koger – 1.99m (2^nd)

Women High Jump: Tia Lucas – 1.74m (2^nd)

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.