Ogazi to Anchor Alabama 4x400m Relay in Outdoor Debut, Osamuyi Targets Strong Start in Hurdles
Nigerian sprint sensation Samuel Ogazi is set to make his outdoor debut in the men’s 4x400m relay at the prestigious Battle on the Bayou Meet, taking place at Bernie Moore Track Stadium on Saturday.
The 19-year-old, who last month stormed to victory in the 400m at the NCAA Indoor Championships with an African record-setting 44.57s run, will anchor the Alabama team drawn in lane six of the first semifinal heat.
His triumph indoors made history as the first Nigerian student-athlete, male or female, to win the NCAA 400m title both indoors and outdoors.
Joining Ogazi in making her outdoor season debut is another Alabama student-athlete, sprint hurdler Faith Osamuyi, who will contest the women’s 100m hurdles.
Osamuyi, fresh off a personal best of 8.23s in the 60m hurdles during the indoor season, has been drawn in lane nine of the opening heat.
Meanwhile, Adekalu Fakorede of Mississippi State University, along with Minnesota duo Charles Godfred and John Caleb, will line up in the men’s 100m, adding further Nigerian representation to the meet.
Ella Onojuvwevwo will also make her individual 400m outdoor debut while also competing in the 4x400m relay. Fellow Louisiana State University teammate, sprinter Tima Godbless, who will open her outdoor season in the 100m, is set to also feature in the 4x100m relay.
