Three Eagles Win Events at the Aggie Invitational

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The North Carolina Central men's and women's track & field teams earned 17 top-five finishes at the Aggie Invitational on April 18-19. NCCU topped the podium in three of those events.

Sa'Niya Fowler earned first place in the women's hammer, throwing 53.17m to lead 20 competitors. Fowler also placed fourth in the discus throw with a distance of 42.76m.

Emmanuel Paddyfote achieved a new personal record in the men's 1500m. The Belmont, N.C. native won the event with a time of 3:55.09. Additional distance highlights include Ryan Chong in the men's 3000m steeplechase (4^th – 10:31.37) and Evans Kimutai in the men's 5000m (4^th – 16:04.98).

Jonathan Raijon-Koger scored the final winning performance in the men's high jump, leaping 2.05m. Right behind Raijon-Koger was fellow Eagle Theodore Skinner in second place (2.01m). In the women's high jump, Tia Lucas took fourth, clearing 1.65m.

Completing the top-five finishes in the field events were Matthew Swepson (5^th – 47.24m) in men's javelin and Julian Williams (4^th – 15.84m) and Gabriel Urraca (5^th – 15.74m) both in men's shot put.

Back on the oval, Laila Jackson and Kayla Johnson had strong performances in the women's 800m event. Jackson was second (2:10.44) and Johnson crossed the line in fourth (2:13.73).

Also adding to NC Central's top finishes on the track were Zion Amadi in the men's 400m (5^th – 48.00), Nyree Bacchus in the women's 400m (4^th – 54.58) and Gianna Marquez in the women's 400m hurdles (5^th – 1:02.74). NCCU's women's team also earned fifth in the 4x400m relay (3:50.51).

NCCU Top-5 Results

Men's 400m

Zion Amadi – 5^th (48.00)

Women's 400m

Nyree Bacchus – 4^th (54.58)

Women's 400m Hurdles

Gianna Marquez – 5^th (1:02.74)

Women's 800m

Laila Jackson – 2^nd (2:10.44)

Kayla Johnson – 4^th (2:13.73)

Men's 1500m

Emmanuel Paddyfote – 1^st (3:55.09)