Raleigh, NC – The Monroe University men's outdoor track and field team kicked off its 2025 season at the Raleigh Relays this weekend as sophomore Tinashe Bure and freshman Modou Sanneh achieved national qualification standards in their respective events.
 
Bure capped off a successful weekend with his national qualification during day three of the event. The South African native clocked in at 1:51.45 in the 800m to punch his ticket to nationals in Hutchinson, KS, in May.
 
Sophomores Siyabonga Mbatha (1:56.69) and Banele Mkabela (1:59.14), and freshman Nkanyezi Ziqubu competed in the 800m alongside Bure. Both Mbatha and Mkabela earned personal best times for their performances.
 
During day two of the event, Sanneh qualified for nationals in the 400m, clocking in at 47.60. The freshman placed 16th out of 111 participants in the event, providing a major highlight for the Mustangs in the second day of competition.
 
Joining Sanneh in the 400m was freshman Cleon Joseph, who followed the national qualifier with a time of 49.32. Middle distance specialist Bure clocked in next for the Mustangs with a personal best time of 49.72. Freshmen Anthony Barrett (52.10) and Abraham Saywon (52.57) rounded out the Mustang competitors in the event.
 
Mkabela was the lone Mustang to compete during day one of the Raleigh Relays, running a personal best time of 4:05.46.
 
Sophomore Dwayne Fleming participated in the 100m with a time of 10.67. He also ran in the 200m, clocking in 21.40, which is an outdoor personal best for the Antigua and Barbuda native. Fleming was joined by Joseph (22.43) and Sanneh (22.72) in the 200m.
 
Rounding out the Mustang competitors, freshman Elijah Upsher jumped a distance of 5.81m in the long jump.
 
A packed schedule awaits the Mustangs next week as they take part in the METS Outdoor Championships at Icahn Stadium on Friday, as well as the Sam Howell Distance Invite, hosted by Princeton University, on Saturday, respectively. Both events will begin at 10:00 am.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).