Nse Uko, Onojuvwevwo drawn in different 400m heats at LSU Invitational

The much anticipated clash between 2021 World U20 400m champion, Imaobong Nse Uko and the talented, 17 year old Ella Onojuvwevwo will not hold at the LSU Inivitational on Saturday as the two Nigerians have been drawn in different heats at the meeting.

Nse Uko will run in heat three, the toughest heat of the four heats as she continues her bid to become the first Nigerian quartermiler in eight years to run a sub-51 seconds in the event.

Since Patience Okon-George ran 50.71 at the African Games in Congo Brazzaville in September 2015,no Nigerian 400m runner has broken the 51 seconds barrier.

The closest remains the 51.22 Yinka Ajayi ran in 2018 while Nse Uko has been the fastest Nigerian over the distance since May last year when nse Uko ran 51.24 in Lubbock, Texas.

The 18 year old now has a chance to break new grounds and she is in a group that can drive into making that history. She is drawn in lane where she will battle at least four athletes who have broken the 51 and 50 seconds barrier.

In the second lane, Onojuvwevwo, competing in her first NCAA outdoor circuit will be hoping to improve on her 52.52 lifetime best she set early April as she also hopes to run inside 52 seconds for the first time this year.

Also running is Amarachukwu Obi who has been drawn in the third heat.