WILLIAMSBURG, Va., March 31, 2023 – Karim Belmahdi broke an 11-year-old record in the 5,000-meter run on Friday to highlight the No. 22-ranked Monroe College Mustangs men's track and field team's first day at the Colonial Relays, hosted by the College of William & Mary.
 
Belmahdi placed first in Saturday's 5000m out of 47 competitors. His time of 14:36.34 not only qualified him for the 2023 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships, it also broke Monroe's outdoor record in the event, surpassing Ansu Sowe's record of 15:10.61 from back in 2012.
 
Belmahdi was not alone on the qualifier list on Friday. Kgaogelo Moloisi did so in the 1,500-meter run on Friday, clocking in at 3:56.91 to earn his spot at the national championship meet in the event. Moloisi finished 17th out of 83 runners in the race.
 
Wayne Stephenson and Tendai Nyoni both ran in the 800-meter run on Friday. Stephenson finished the race in 2:01.83, while Nyoni crossed the line in 2:05.87.
 
Five Mustangs ran in the 400-meter dash on Friday. Jaheim Dotson was the first among them to cross the finish line with a time of 49.51 seconds. Nyoni was next at 50.24, and then Kiron O'Garro followed him at 50.43. Leroy Chapman ran a time of 51.09, while Akeerie McFarlane finished in 51.36.
 
McFarlane later ran in the 200-meter dash. He finished that race in 22.43 seconds.
 
The Mustangs are back at it on Saturday, April 1, for the final day of the Colonial Relays. The day's events begin 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 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).