LYNCHBURG, Va. – North Carolina Central University's track and field teams wrapped up the two-day Liberty Open on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Liberty University. The Eagles garnered six top-three finishes.
Junior Emmanuel Paddyfote placed third at 4:16.48 in the mile run. His previous best time this season was 4:16.68 at the Dick Taylor Carolina Challenge. Paddyfote also ran in the 800m finishing with a time of 1:54.80 for a new personal record.
In the women's 800m run, junior Laila Jackson finished second at 2:13.40. She also helped the 4x400 relay team place fourth.
Nyree Bacchus also joined Jackson in the women's 4x400 relay and ran in the 200m and 400m as well. Her performance in the 400m earned a third-place finish at 57.14.
The final podium performance on the track was by sophomore Melanne Sutton, who ran in three events. Sutton's highest finish was in the 200m (24.47). Her other events included the 60m and 4x400 relay. In the 60m, Sutton set a new personal record in preliminaries at 7.47 to advance to the finals.
Moving on to the field, junior Tia Lucas placed second in the women's high jump event. Lucas leaped 1.62m and later attempted 1.67m but was unable to clear. In the second section of the men's high jump, freshman Theodore Skinner cleared 1.95m for first place.
The Liberty Open concludes the regular season for the Eagles with eyes on the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in Virginia Beach, Va. on Feb. 23-24.
NCCU Top-3 Finishes
Men's 1 Mile
Emmanuel Paddyfote – 3rd (4:16.48)
Women's 400m Dash
Nyree Bacchus – 3rd (57.14)
Women's 800m Run
Laila Jackson – 2nd (2:13.40)
Women's High Jump
Tia Lucas – 2nd (1.62m)
Women's 200m Dash
Melanne Sutton – 2nd (24.47)
Men's High Jump – Section
Theodore Skinner – 1st (1.95m)
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com, or download the NCCU Eagles Athletics app.
