TOPEKA, Kan., March 5, 2023 – The Monroe College Mustangs men's track and field team's 4x800m relay team took second place on Saturday, while two individuals reached the podium to cap off the weekend at the 2023 NJCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships at Washburn University. The Mustangs earned a 10th place overall finish at the national meet.
 
The foursome of Kgaogelo Moloisi, Karim Belmahdi, Leroy Chapman and Prince Mcabelo impressed in the 4x800 relay, clocking a second-place time of 7:39.13. This time represents a new Monroe College indoor record in the event as well, as was Monroe's best finish in any event at the NJCAA Indoor Championships this weekend.
 
Belmahdi and Mcabelo both once again pulled double-duty on Saturday. Belmahdi ran in the men's mile run, finishing with a time of 4:11.49. This put him in fourth place overall in the event out of 36 competitors, earning him a spot on the podium.
 
Mcabelo earned his place in the 1,000-meter run finals after a qualifying performance in Friday's preliminary round. Mcabelo ran a time of 2:28.56 to take fifth place overall, giving the Mustangs yet another podium finish for the weekend.
 
Monroe closed out the weekend with the 4x400m relay. The team of Jaheim Dotson, Kiron O'Garro, Jonathan Hackshaw and Akeerie McFarlane ran a time of 3:23.45 in the event.
 
Day 2 of the NJCAA Indoor Championships wrapped up the indoor season for the Mustangs. They come away with five United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-American performances after the distance medley relay, 4x800 relay both had Top-3 finishes, as well as podium finishes for Belmahdi (3000m, mile) and Mcabelo (1000m). The Mustangs will now prepare for the 2023 outdoor track and field season, which is set to begin later this month.
 
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).