Shock Absence: Onojuvwevwo Missing from NCAA East First Round
For the first time in four years, Nigerian sprint star Ella Onojuvwevwo will not compete in either the women’s 200m or her specialty, the 400m, when the NCAA East First Round begins Wednesday at the University of Kentucky.
The 21‑year‑old’s name was conspicuously missing from Louisiana State University’s 36‑athlete roster for the meet, which, in some events, serves as a qualifier for the NCAA Division I Outdoor Championships next month.
Onojuvwevwo, who ran 49.57 seconds last month, no longer leads the world list and is now technically ruled out of the outdoor championships, ending her bid to become the first Nigerian woman to win the prestigious NCAA Outdoor title.
In her absence, fellow Nigerians Esther Joseph and Onyah Onyinye Favour will look to secure qualification in the 400m.
The women’s 100m will feature Tima Godbless, also 21, who is aiming to surpass her lifetime best of 10.91 seconds, achieved at the same championships last year. She will be joined by Kelly Ufodiama, while Ufodiama, Favour, and the University of Alabama’s Precious Nzeakor are also listed in the 200m.
Nigeria’s new 800m record holder Adisa Rhoda is in contention for a ticket to the NCAA outdoor final, while the University of Alabama’s Faith Osamuyi will compete in the 100m hurdles.
Osamuyi must finish among the top three in her heat for automatic qualification or rank among the six fastest non‑automatic qualifiers to advance to the quarterfinals.
