Durham, NC – Despite unfavorable weather conditions, the Monroe University men's outdoor track and field team had a solid weekend at the Duke Invitational.
 
Sophomore Banele Mkabela, who participated in three events over the weekend, shined at the Duke Invitational with a national qualification 3000m steeplechase. With a personal best time of 9:30.22, Mkabela punched his ticket to Hutchinson, KS.
 
Mkabela also competed in the 1500m on Friday with a time of 4:06.43 and the 800m on Saturday with a time of 2:00.13.
 
Sophomore Tinashe Bure continued to build upon his stellar start to the season, braving the rain in the 1500m with a time of 3:57.33 on Friday. The next day, Bure ran a personal best time of 1:51.06 in the 800m, improving his ranking on the national qualifying list.
 
Fellow sophomore Siyabonga Mbatha also ran in both events. He ran a personal best time of 4:00.02 in the 1500m and clocked in at 1:57.21 in the 800m. Freshman Nkanyezi Ziqubu also did the double event schedule, running a 4:14.98 in the 1500m and a 2:04.27 in the 800m.
 
Five Mustangs were featured in the 400m, with freshman Modou Sanneh clocking in at a top time among his teammates at 48.41. Freshmen Cleon Joseph (50.10), Anthony Barrett (51.68), Abraham Saywon (53.42) and Elijah Carswell (55.05) rounded out the Mustang competitors.
 
Sophomore Dwayne Fleming competed in both the 100m and 200m. He clocked in at 10.77 in the 100m and 21.88 in the 200m. Fleming was also joined by Joseph, Bure and Barrett in the 1600m relay with a time of 3:19.48.
 
Monroe will head to Baltimore, MD, to take part in the Morgan State Legacy on Friday.
 
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).