Men's Track and Field | 3/9/2025 9:11:00 PM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – In the inaugural HBCU National Indoor Track and Field Championship, the Kentucky State women's team claimed the small school division national title , while the men's team secured the small school division runner-up finish Saturday.
 
The women's team secured the national title with 120 points, finishing 69 points ahead of runner-up West Virginia State.
 
Voorhees claimed the men's title with 176 points, while Kentucky State earned runner-up honors with 105 points.
 
Four Kentucky State student-athletes earned individual titles in their respective events, while the Thorobreds also secured multiple podium finishes.
 
Ariana Simmons led the way with two victories, clearing 2.30 meters (7 feet, 6.5 inches) to win the women's pole vault and 1.30 meters (4 feet, 3.25 inches) to claim the women's high jump title.
 
The Kentucky State women's team dominated the 600-meter run, sweeping the podium. Iyanna Thompson-Carson won the event at 1:47.55, followed by Hailey Tucker in second at 1:49.19 and Kanylah Young in third at 1:58.55. The sweep added 24 points to the Thorobreds' team total.
 
Nigel Cochran captured the men's pole vault title with a personal-best clearance of 3.60 meters (11 feet, 9.75 inches). In the men's high jump, Bryson Carpenter secured first place with a mark of 1.95 meters (6 feet, 4.75 inches).
 
Kentucky State also saw success in relay events. The women's 4x200-meter relay team of Tucker, Jada Murry, Antaya Epps, and Samiyah Rembert claimed the title with a season-best time of 1:49.66. The men's 4x800-meter relay team, featuring Roderic Walls, Gedeon Koponga, Joshua Merriweather, and Justin Smith, took first in 9:44.75. The Thorobreds capped their title run by winning the women's distance medley relay.
 
In addition to the titles, seven Thorobreds reached the podium. Ja'Monn Avery and Jada Murry took second place in the 60-meter hurdles. Yumana earned second in the men's 200-meter dash with an NCAA Division II #56 time. Hailey Tucker finished second in the women's 600-meter run, and Kanylah Young took third, completing the sweep. Jaaliyah Biggers placed third in the women's long jump, while Desiree Poole finished third in both the women's weight throw and shot put. Nigel Cochran added another medal, finishing second in the men's triple jump.
 
 
The men's and women's teams recorded 11 personal bests at the meet.
 
POINT BREAKDOWN
WOMEN'S
60m, Jaaliyah Biggers (3), Samiyah Rembert (2) | 5 points
60m Hurdles, Jada Murry | 8 points
200m, Antaya Epps | 4 points
400m, Zhakeya Hawkins | 2 points
600m, Iyanna Thompson-Carson (10), Hailey Tucker (8), Kanylah Young (6) | 24 points
High Jump, Ariana Simmons | 10 points
Long Jump, Jaaliyah Biggers | 6 points
Pole Vault, Ariana Simmons | 10 points
Shot Put, Desiree Poole (6), Ariana Simmons (5) | 11 points
Triple Jump, Jaaliyah Biggers | 6 points
Weight Throw, Desiree Poole | 6 points
4x200m | 10 points
4x400m | 10 points
DMR | 10 points
TOTAL: 120 POINTS
 
MEN
60m Hurdles, Ja'Monn Avery (8), Tyran Forte (5) | 13 points
200m, Yumana Lofton | 8 points
400m, Joshua Merriweather | 1 point
800m, Justin Smith | 5 points
High Jump, Bryson Carpenter (9), Curtis Bownes (4) | 13 points.
Long Jump, Nigel Cochran (3), Bryson Carpenter (1) | 4 points
Pole Vault, Nigel Cochran | 10 points
Shot Put, Andrew Bownes | 5 points
Triple Jump, Nigel Cochran (8), Lorenzo Johnson-Cutler (2) | 10 points
Weight Throw, Andrew Bownes | 5 points
4x200m | 8 points
4x400m | 5 points
4x800m | 10 Points
DMR | 8 points
TOTAL: 105 POINTS
   
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