STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., January 21, 2023 – Friday was a big day for the the Monroe College men's track and field team, with numerous Mustangs earning their spots at the 2023 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships with impressive performances at the NYC Gotham Cup at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex.
 
Prince Mcabelo had a terrific showing in the 500-meter dash. He took first place overall with a time of 1:04.30, defeating 37 other runners in the event. Mcabelo's time earned him qualification for the NJCAA Championships. Mcabelo was joined by Jaheim Dotson and Isaacs Simba Mudzimukunze, who ran respective times of 1:06.99 and 1:07.37 to place ninth and 11th.
 
After impressing in the mile last week, Karim Belmahdi did so once again on Friday in the 3,000-meter run. Belmahdi placed third overall, and first among collegiate runners, with a time of 8:14.90, which currently stands as the fastest time in the NJCAA this season in the event. The new personal-best time qualified Belmahdi for the 3000m at the NJCAA Championships.
 
The Mustangs' 4x800m relay team had a great outing at the Gotham Cup on Friday. The team of Leroy Chapman, Jonathan Hackshaw, Wayne Stephenson and Mcabelo won the event, finishing with a time of 7:53.47. They defeated 11 other team en route to qualifying for the NJCAA Championships in the event.
 
Three Mustangs ran in the 60-meter dash on Friday. Robensky Duffault was Monroe's first finisher at 7.19 seconds. Thomas Strouble was next at 7.39, while Rafael Dayton clocked in at 7.86 seconds.
 
Duffault and Strouble both also ran in the 200-meter dash at the Gotham Cup. Duffault finished in 23.28 seconds, while Strouble earned a new personal-best time of 23.63 seconds.
 
Another three competed in Friday's 400-meter dash. Vadley Sylvester claimed eighth place at 50.55 seconds. Kiron O'garro was next at 50.80 to take ninth. Akeerie McFarlane ran a time of 51.94 seconds.
 
David Joseph ran in Friday's 60-meter hurdles event. He finished with a personal-best time of 9.20 seconds.
 
Javon Soiro and Ethanael Elliott both ran in Friday's 800-meter run. Soiro's 800m debut saw him clock in at 2:05.67. Elliott's 800m was also his season debut, in which he ran a time of 2:18.69.
 
The Mustangs take their first trip of the season outside of New York next weekend when they compete in the two-day John Thomas Terrier Invite, hosted by Boston University. The meet will take place on Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28, in Boston, Mass.
 
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 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 11 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).