HIGH POINT, N.C. – At the VertKlasse Meeting hosted by High Point on April 2-3, the North Carolina Central men's and women's track and field teams combined for six first-place finishes at Vert Stadium.
Melanne Sutton led the way with two victories, winning both the women's 100m and 200m. She recorded season-best times in each event, clocking 11.41 seconds in the 100m and 23.82 in the 200m. Teammate Kaydence Daniels followed closely behind in the 200m, finishing second at 24.03.
The Eagles also excelled in the distance events. Kayla Johnson captured first place in the women's 800m with a time of 2:09.96. She also competed in the 1,500m and ran a leg of the 4x400 relay, helping NCCU place fourth in the latter. Laila Jackson added a runner-up finish in the 800m, crossing in 2:11.39.
Alitza Dennard delivered a standout performance in the women's 10,000m, securing the win with a personal-best time of 38:54.45.
On the men's side, Aaron Alukunyang made an immediate impact in his season debut for NC Central. He won the 5,000m by nearly 12 seconds with a time of 14:27.62 and later placed seventh in the 1,500m (3:54.25).
Tia Lucas rounded out the Eagles' first-place finishes, clearing 1.72 meters to win the women's high jump, which was her top mark of the spring.
Four additional Eagles recorded top-three finishes. Zion Amadi placed second in the men's 200m (10.78), while Malcolm Forbes (triple jump, 14.54m), Gianna Marquez (400m hurdles, 1:03.78), and Dwan Bell (400m, 48.49) each finished third in their respective events.
NCCU won't have to travel far for its next meet, heading to Morris Williams Stadium for the Duke Invitational on April 9-11.
NCCU Top-Three Finishes
Melanne Sutton – 1st, Women 100m (11.41)
Melanne Sutton – 1st, Women 200m (23.82)
Kaydence Daniels – 2nd, Women 200m (24.03)
Kayla Johnson – 1st, Women 800m (2:09.96)
Laila Jackson – 2nd, Women 800m (2:11.39)
Alitza Dennard – 1st, Women 10,000m (38:54.45)
Tia Lucas – 1st, Women High Jump Group A (1.72m)
Zion Amadi – 2nd, Men 200m (10.78)
Aaron Alukunyang – 1st, Men 5,000m (14:27.62)
Malcolm Forbes – 3rd, Men Triple Jump (14.54m)
Gianna Marquez – 3rd, Women 400m Hurdles Participate (1:03.78)
Dwan Bell – 3rd, Men 400m Participate (48.49)
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
