JONESBORO, Ark.- The Arkansas-Pine Bluff Indoor Track and Field teams participated in their first meets of the season at the Arkansas State Kickoff Classic, held the ASU Convocation Center.
After coming off successful cross country seasons, UAPB’s track and field squads got a chance to taste a bit of individualized competition, unlike cross country where team results count.
John Oribo led a contingent of newcomers to Indoor competition by winning his heat in the 3000m at 8:59 while Geoffrey Kosgei (9:15) and Charles Johnson (9:17) came in 3rd and 4th respectively.
Freshman football sensation Terron Armstead took second in the shot put with a throw of 16.28m and Arthur Thomas took 7th place with a heave of 14.57m. John Bwete took first in his heat for the 800m (1:58), while Victor Patton a walk-on led all sprinters for the Golden Lions with a 6:53 in the 55m followed by Brandon Minor at 6:57.
Junior Lady Lions’ sprinter Tracey Rivers has come back to the form which brought her here from Florida by running a personal best 7.13 in the 55m. Senior Esther Adeyemi, the 2008 SWAC Indoor 800m Champion lost to World Junior record holder Vera Rudakova in the 400m hurdles at the finish line at 2:17 while Chandra walker won her 400m heat at 60.1.
The men’s Distance Medley composed of Bwete, Minor, Stephen Kipkurui and Moses Aukuyang came in second with a time of 10:31. All in all the performances were good for both the men’s and women’s teams as they will look to continue to improve as the Indoor season hits full swing.