Ogazi, Onojuvwevwo Headline Collegiate Classic in Albuquerque
NCAA outdoor championship finalists Samuel Ogazi and Ella Onojuvwevwo are set to make their 2026 individual indoor debuts this weekend at the New Mexico Collegiate Classic, scheduled to take place at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Ogazi, representing the University of Alabama and the reigning NCAA 400m outdoor champion, has been registered to compete in the men’s 400m. He is the only sub-45 seconds runner confirmed for the event, though he will be joined by fellow Nigerian and Alabama teammate Alexander Osayemi.
The 19 year old made his season’s debut in the 4x400m event for his school at the Orange and Purple Invitational at Clemson, South Carolina last month. The team ran 3:04.39 to place second.
Onojuvwevwo, who runs for Louisiana State University, will line up in the women’s 200m invitational. She will not be the only Nigerian in the race, as Iowa’s Chioma Nwachukwu has also been entered for both the 200m and 400m events.
The Nigerian presence at the meet extends further, with Success Umukoro and Faith Osamuyi registered for the women’s 60m, while Joshua Caleb and Olaolu Olatunde will compete in the men’s 60m. Olatunde is aso registered for the 200m event.
The competition marks an important early-season test for Ogazi and Onojuvwevwo, both of whom impressed during the 2025 NCAA outdoor championships and will be looking to carry that form into the indoor campaign.
