Medgar Evers Indoor Track & Field Teams Dominate CUNYAC Championship Meet to Secure Third Consecutive Titles
For the third consecutive season, the Medgar Evers Men’s Indoor Track & Field and Women’s Indoor Track and Field teams reached the CUNYAC mountaintop, winning the conference championships in thrilling fashion on Sunday evening at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York, NY.
When the meets were in the books, Indoor Track & Field Head Coach Hugh Reid — who has now won 31 championships within the CUNYAC (17 with CCNY, eight with Medgar Evers College, and six with Lehman) — reflected on what was an incredible night in the history of the institution’s Cougars Indoor Track & Field program.
“I am so proud and honored to have coached both the Medgar Evers College men’s and women’s programs to CUNYAC indoor titles for the third consecutive season.
Entering this 2025-2026 campaign as the two-time defending champions, we knew that there would be a tremendous amount of pressure on us, and that winning again would take an incredible amount of work, but all season, these student-athletes were up to the task, working diligently to improve each week.
Throughout the course of the season, these student-athletes set CUNYAC records, shattering Medgar Evers marks, set multiple personal records, and took our programs to new heights. We continue to build a legacy of excellence through hard work, determination, focus, and ultimately, winning. I know we will all cherish these accomplishments for the rest of our lives.”
Men’s Indoor Track & Field Meet
The Cougars’ men’s squad captured nine out of 15 events to finish with 169 points. Hunter totaled 114 points to finish as the runner-up, while CCNY took third with 103. Lehman (77) and York (10) rounded out the field.
Sophomore sensation Omari Hinds was named the championship’s Most Valuable Performer. Hinds dominated the jumping events, securing gold in the triple jump (12.61m), long jump (6.39m), and high jump (1.80m), while also anchoring the Cougars’ winning 4×400 relay team (3:43.07).
Senior Chrisnel Nicolas claimed first place in the 60-meter hurdles (9.76) and the pole vault (3.30m). He also placed second in the high jump (1.65m) and third in the long jump (5.63m).
Reco Griffith swept the sprints, taking first in the 60-meter dash (6.91) and the 200m (21.96), while Michael Ortega was victorious in the shot put (11.91m).
Women’s Indoor Track & Field Meet
Medgar Evers finished with 168 points to outdistance runner-up Hunter, which compiled 150. CCNY placed third with 114 points, with Lehman (22) and York (1) rounding out the field.
Newcomer Brianna Lindo earned points for the Cougars in 10 separate events, earning 2025-26 CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championship Most Valuable Performer honors. Lindo took home gold in four individual events, placing first in the triple jump (10.91m), the long jump (5.01m), the 60m hurdles (9.27), and the high jump (1.50m) — the latter of which she tied with Hunter’s Daria Niebrzydowski. She was also a key part of the Cougars’ winning Distance Medley Relay (DMR) squad (14:36.46).
In addition, Lindo earned silver in the weight throw (11.05m) and the 200m (26.51), while taking third in the 60-meter dash (8.22) and the 800m (2:36.68). She rounded out her historic performance with a sixth-place finish in the shot put (8.68m).
Veteran Rinnah Brown scored in five different events for the Cougars, earning silver in the 60-meter hurdles (10.18) and third-place finishes in both the long jump (4.72m) and triple jump (9.89m).
Multi-sport standout Nana Samake was exceptional once again, scoring in four events. She ran a leg on the Cougars’ winning DMR relay squad (alongside Kenia Irish-Bramble, Jada Lambert, and Lindo), while also earning points in the 3000m (3rd place, 12:47.03), the mile (4th place, 6:20.05), and the 800m (4th place, 2:48.71).
Up Next for the Cougars
Fresh off their championships, the Medgar Evers indoor track and field teams will return to action on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7. The Cougars will showcase their talents at the All-Atlantic Region Track and Field Conference (AARTFC) Indoor Championships at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory. Start times for both days of competition are to be announced.