HOBBS, N.M., May 20, 2023 – Karim Belmahdi delivered a National Championship for the Monroe College Mustangs men's track and field team to highlight a strong final day at the 2023 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the Ross Black Field of Champions on Saturday. The Mustangs placed 15th overall in the championship meet with 20 total points.
 
Belmahdi set a new program record for the Mustangs in the 1,500-meter run, crossing the line in 3:47.31 to outpace the entire field and claim the NJCAA Championship in the event. He is the first male student-athlete in Monroe College history to claim an individual outdoor national championship. Belmahdi's performance is also the first national title for the Mustang men since the 4x800 relay won its event back in 2015. His performance was all the more impressive after the schedule got switched around after Thursday's rain, causing him to have to run in three events on Friday leading up to the 1500m.
 
Prince Mcabelo turned in another historic performance for the Mustangs in the finals of the 800-meter run on Saturday. He ran a time of 1:49.73, breaking the Monroe College outdoor record in the event! Mcabelo claimed eighth place in the race to reach the podium as well, which earns him United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-American Honors for the event.
 
Tendai Nyoni represented the Mustangs in the 400-meter dash finals on Saturday. He clocked in with a time of 48.55 seconds, setting a new personal-best in the event.
 
Jaheim Dotson competed for Monroe in Saturday's 400-meter hurdle event. He earned a time of 54.85 seconds in the race.
 
Kgaogelo Moloisi wrapped up the weekend for the Mustangs with the 5,000-meter run. He ran a time of 15:32.90 in the race.
 
The 2023 NJCAA Div. I Outdoor Track & Field Championships marked the end of the 2023 season for the Mustangs. The Mustang men earned three podium finishes on the weekend with Belmahdi's first-place finish in the 1500m, the 4x800 relay team's second-place performance and Mcabelo finished eighth in the 800m.
 
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).