The 2019 Conference USA Indoor Track & Field Championships are set to begin today, Saturday, February 16, hosted by UAB at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama.
Nigerian athletes at Middle Tennessee State University will be at the meet to make their school proud but its also no surprise that some of our best US collegiate athletes are listed on “Who to Watch For”
C-USA Indoor 400m Record holder, Abike Egbeniyi and Shot Put sensation, Isaac Odugbesan who is the Outdoor Champion are on the list based on their scintillating performances this season.
While Fmr. South Plains College jumper, Fabian Edoki now a student at Middle Tennessee is also on the list of “Who to Watch For” we recall that this season he has gone over 8m in the Long Jump and he is one of the favourite for the title at this year’s Conference USA Indoor T&F Champs.
Others who will be competing include 2018 60m Champ, Cecilia Francis, Omoshola in the Long Jump and Arinze Benjamin in the 60m and Long Jump.
Looking back in the history of the Championships, we have had a couple of Nigerians who have made their school proud including Multiple World Championships medalist, Blessing Okagbare who is an alumni of University of Texas, El Paso who at the 2010 Championships won the 60m, 200m, Long Jump and Triple Jump.
Gloria Asunmu won the 60m and 200m representing Tulane University at the 2008 meet. Gloria clinched the 60m title 4 times (2004, 2005, 2007 & 2008). At the ’08 Champs, Okagbare secured the Gold in the Long and Triple Jump while Seun Adigun won the 60m hurdles title three times in a row between 2007-2009 representing Uni. Of Houston.
At the 2015 Championships, Ada Benjamin and Claire Uke won the Women’s 400m and Shot Put for UTEP and Rice University respectively. Claire also win the Shot Put at the 2013&14 season.
7 years after Adigun’s reign, Tobi Amusan won the Women’s 60m hurdles at the 2016 C-USA Champs and defended her title at the 2017 edition while adding the 200m title to her name.
Middle Tennessee’s Loveth Odia secured the 400m at the meet while helping her team alongside Abike Egneniyi to clinch the 4x400m Gold.
Last year, Abike Egneniyi took charge of the 400m and made it a 3rd consecutive win by a Nigerian. She did it in grand style setting the C-USA Indoor record of 52.77s while leading her 4x400m team to Victory.
Cecilia Francis will also be looking forward to defending her 60m title at this year’s Champs.
Good luck to all out athletes!!!
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