By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwean athletes continued to make a huge impact on the NCAA Division I track and field circuit with a series of outstanding performances at the SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Auburn, Alabama on Saturday.
Leading the charge was rising sprint sensation Denzel Simusialela, who enjoyed a memorable evening for University of Kentucky by winning two medals and setting a new school record.
Simusialela breaks Kentucky 100m record
The Bulawayo-born freshman first claimed bronze in the men’s 100m final, clocking a blistering 10.04 seconds to set a new University of Kentucky record.
Later in the evening, Simusialela added a silver medal in the men’s 200m, crossing the line in 19.98 seconds (+0.5), narrowly missing his personal best while once again dipping under the coveted 20-second barrier.
The 19-year-old was also part of Kentucky’s men’s 4x100m relay team alongside Anthony Waterman, Oscar Baltan and Miles Jones.
The quartet clocked 39.14 seconds, the sixth-fastest time in programme history, to finish seventh in the opening track event of the day.
Mudzengerere claims triple jump bronze
Zimbabwe was also represented in the field events, where Theo Mudzengerere secured bronze in the men’s triple jump with a best effort of 16.58 metres.
The podium finish continues an impressive comeback season for Mudzengerere, who won the SEC indoor title earlier this year.
The performances by Simusialela and Mudzengerere underline the growing influence of Zimbabwean athletes in the NCAA, with several stars posting world-class results on the American collegiate circuit this season.