BOSTON, Mass., February 11, 2023 – Saturday was a successful one for the Monroe College Mustangs track and field teams, as Karim Belmahdi set a new program record in the 3,000-meter run, and three individuals and the women's distance medley relay team all earned qualifying performances for the 2023 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on Day 2 of the David Hemery Valentine Invitational, hosted by Boston University.
 
Belmahdi etched his name in the record books once again, setting a career-best time in the 3000m to break Monroe's indoor record in the event. He finished with a time of 8:11.42 to surpass former teammate Mohlouwa Koos Molutsi's previous record by nearly two seconds. He also improved his qualifying time for the event in the process.
 
Much like the men on Friday, the women's DMR was the only women's event on Saturday, and it proved to a great one for the Mustangs. The team of Zothile Mbhamali, Kahliyah Smith, Shaquka Tyrell and Kayla Johnson clocked in with a time of 12:52.26 to earn their spot in the event at the national meet.
 
Kgaogelo Moloisi ran a personal-best time and the second fastest time in Monroe College history in the 5,000-meter run on Saturday. He finished the race in 14:44.52, less than a half-second shy of the program record, earning a qualifying time for the 5000m in the process.
 
Prince Mcabelo and Karim Belmahdi both impressed in the 1,000-meter run on Saturday. Mcabelo placed fifth overall out of 77 finishers with a time of 2:23.09, while Belmahdi was right behind him at 2:23.65 to claim seventh place. Both times qualified for the NJCAA Indoor Championships, and now stand first and third, respectively, in the NJCAA this season.
 
Wayne Stephenson and Jonathan Hackshaw both ran in the 1000m as well on Saturday. Stephenson finished the race in 2:42.33, while Hackshaw crossed the line in 2:43.65. Stephenson and Hackshaw both also competed in the 800m. Stephenson ran a personal-best time of 1:57.90, less than a second shy of NJCAA qualification. Hackshaw also earned a personal-best time in the race, finishing in 1:59.00.
 
Jaheim Dotson, Vadley Sylvester, Kiron O'garro and Akeerie McFarlane all ran in both the 400-meter dash and the 200-meter dash on Saturday. Dotson ran personal-best times in both with a 400m time of 49.28 seconds and a 200m time of 22.27 seconds. Sylvester also ran two personal-best times at 49.57 and 22.40, respectively. O'garro did the same with times of 49.89 and 22.56, respectively. McFarlane clocked in at 50.40 in the 400m, while running a time of 22.37 in the 200m.
 
Joseph Muzenda competed in the 60-meter dash on Saturday. He clocked in with a time of 7.46 seconds in his first 60m as a Mustang.
 
The Mustangs are in Staten Island this coming Friday, Feb. 17, to compete in the Garden State Track Club Invitational at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex. The meet is set to begin at 2 p.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 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).