RALEIGH, N.C., March 24, 2022 – The 2022 outdoor track and field season got off to a hot start for the Monroe College Mustangs men's track and field team, as Karim Belmahdi set a new Monroe College record in the 1,500-meter run on the first day of the Raleigh Relays, hosted by North Carolina State University on Thursday.
 
Belmahdi and Mohlouwa Koos Molutsi were the only two Mustangs to compete on Thursday, with both getting off to a strong start in the fresh outdoor season. Belmahdi broke the Monroe College outdoor record for the 1500m with a time of 3:54.30, surpassing the previous standard of 3:56.39 set by Mpho Makofane back in 2016. Molutsi clocked in at 3:58.98, locking both Mustangs into a spot at the 2022 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships after they both beat the qualifying standard time.
 
The Raleigh Relays continue on Friday, March 25, with Day 2 of the three-day meet at NC State. Both the Mustang men and women will be competing on Friday, with competition beginning at 10 a.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 14 teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).