HOBBS, N.M., May 19, 2023 – The first big finish of the weekend came via the men's 4x800 relay on Friday, as the Monroe College Mustangs men's track and field team had a solid first couple of days at the 2023 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Ross Black Field of Champions.
 
The Mustangs 4x800 relay team of Kgaogelo Moloisi, Karim Belmahdi, Tendai Nyoni and Prince Mcabelo turned in an historic performance in the race on Friday, clocking a time of 7:36.19 to set a new program record in the event and take second place overall for Monroe's first big score of the weekend.
 
The preliminary round of the 1,500-meter run was next for Monroe, seeing two Mustangs advance to Saturday's final. Karim Belmahdi qualified with a time of 3:57.35, while Kgaogelo Moloisi well exceeded his seed ranking with a qualifying time of 3:56.39.
 
Prince Mcabelo and Wayne Stephenson both ran in the 800-meter run prelims on Friday. Mcabelo earned his spot in Saturday's final with a qualifying performance of 1:51.67. Stephenson crossed the line in 1:59.82.
 
Belmahdi closed out the day for the Mustangs with the 3,000-meter steeplechase. He came through with an eighth-place finish to earn a spot on the podium after running a time of 9:45.12.
 
The NJCAA Outdoor Championships wrap up on Saturday, May 20. The Mustang men will compete in the finals of the 1500m, 400-meter dash, 800m, 400-meter hurdles and 5,000-meter run. The 1500m will begin the day for Monroe at 3 p.m. EDT.
 
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).