Nathaniel, Tabugo, Onojuvwevwo and Adeshina chase historic NCAA indoor gold to Virginia

Quarter miler, Ezekiel Nathaniel and Ella Onojuvwevwo; sprint hurdler Adaobi Tabugo and high jumper, Temitope Adeshina will be looking to make history this weekend at the NCAA Division 1 Indoor Championships at the Virginia Beach Sports Center at Virginia Beach in Virginia.

The four athletes are among the 11 Nigerian athletes who will be competing for their respective Universities at the Championships.

Nathaniel who stormed a 44.74 lifetime best to win the Southeastern Conference last month tops the NCAA indoor list this year. He will be looking to become the first Nigerian athlete to mount the full lap podium as NCAA indoor champion.

A 400m hurdles specialist, Nathaniel is the African record holder in the event and only African to break 45 seconds in the event.

In the women’s 400m, the fast-improving Onojuvwevwo who raced to a 51.06 personal best over the distance will be hoping to become the second Nigerian woman to break 51 seconds in the event, a feat she has to accomplish if she is looking to make history as the first Nigerian woman to win the NCAA indoor gold in the event.

Tobi Amusan may have been crowned NCAA outdoor champion in 2017, but no Nigerian has had that honour over the 60m hurdles indoors. And that is what Tabugo would be setting her sight on as she hopes to break barriers again after becoming only the fifth Nigerian woman to break eight seconds in the event.

On the field, Adeshina will also be seeking for that slice of history.

National record holder in the high jump, Adeshina (1.93m) will have to overcome defending champion, Glenn Racheal who has cleared 1.98m this season, and African sister, Rose Yeboah who has cleared a centimeter (1.92m) if she really wants the gold this term.

Last year, Adeshina had to settle for fourth position behind Glenn, 2.00m, Lamara Distin, 1.97m, and Elena Kulichenko, 1.91m, same as theNigerian who lost a place on thepodium on count back.