MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The indoor track and field season began back in December 2019 and culminates with the 2020 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Birmingham Crossplex.

Alabama State enters the meet looking to repeat in both competitions, with the men looking for their fourth straight championship. Since 1976, five different schools have won the SWAC championship, however, no team has won more than three consecutive championships (Texas Southern, Southern and Alabama State).

The Hornets have several student-athletes in the top eight of their events that could score points heading into the meet led by Norris Spike in the 60-meters and 200-meters. The senior is currently second in the conference in the 60-meters with a time of 6.78 seconds – just 0.01 seconds behind Bralon Robinson of Alcorn State – and is third in the 200-meters with a time of 21.92 seconds. He is joined in the sprint competition by David East who is sixth in the 60-meters and fifth in the 200-meters (22.00).

Meanwhile, Ricky Thornton is currently fourth in the conference in the 800-meters with a time of 1:55.32, while Abdi Hussein appears in the top three in three different events for the Hornets. Hussein is third in the mile (4:20.35), second in the 3000-meters (8:45.71) and leads the conference in the 5000-meters with a time of 15:06.37. He is joined in the distance competition by Matthew Kibet who is third in the 5000-meters (15:34.02) and seventh in the 3000-meters with a time of 8:59.98.

A pair of Hornets – Ulyesse Grace (8.11 seconds) and Chaaka Trahan (8.14 seconds) – are third and fourth respectively in the 60-meter hurdles, while Trahan is also fifth in the conference in the pole vault heading into the conference championships with a clearance of 3.8 meters. He is joined in the pole vault by Cedric Jones (4.15 meters) and Javaris Goins (3.40 meters) who are fourth and sixth in the event.

Marcus Cade is currently in the top five in three different events heading into the conference championships including second in the high jump (2.05 meters) and long jump (7.19 meters). He is also fifth in the triple jump (14.00 meters). Meanwhile, Caesar Kemp leads the conference in the shot put with a distance of 16.67 meters and is second in the weight throw at 16.09 meters.

Meanwhile, on the women's side, six different schools have won championships since 1976; however, only one team has won each since 2009 – Alabama State. Not only that, Alabama State has won 15 championships since 2002.

The Lady Hornets have the four fastest times in the 60-meter dash, and five of the top eight, heading into the championships. Charminiqu Hackney leads the way at 7.54 seconds, and is followed closely by Ulani Toussaint (7.64), Kyana Evans (7.65) and Shamaria Lovett (7.66). Hackney is also second in the conference in the 200-meters with a time of 24.34, trailing only NaAsha Robinson of Alabama A&M (23.35). Evans is sixth in the 200-meters with a time of 24.94 seconds and is also fifth in the 400-meters with a time of 56.37 seconds.

Arion Span and Michaela Lewis enter the championships with the two-fastest times in the 800-meters, led by Span at 2:12.89. Lewis is not far behind with a time of 2:13.99, while Span leads the conference in the mile and is third in the 3000-meters (10:48.09).

Lovett currently leads the conference heading into the championships in the 60-meters hurdles, ranking 61st nationally with a time of 8.37 seconds. She is joined in the top eight by Tashayla White in fourth with a time of 8.99 seconds, while the 4x400-meter (3:47.45) and Distance Medley (12:16.78) relay teams lead the conference.

In the field events, LaTe'sha Locker is fourth in the conference in the high jump with a clearance of 1.60 meters, while Dasia Newell is eighth with a clearance of 1.54 meters. Locker is also sixth in the conference in the pole vault with a clearance of 2.95 meters, while Lovett is seventh in the conference in the long jump with a distance of 5.56 meters.

Both Kristen Thompson (12.82 meters) and Xiquaria Reliford (12.62 meters) are inside the top 10 in the shot put – fifth and sixth respectively. Bridgette Williams is among the best in the weight throw, entering the week with the fourth best through at 16.31 meters.

The two-day begins on Thursday, with the conference champions crowned Friday afternoon.

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University track and field, please follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateTFXC (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.