Key Takeaways
- Mustapha Bokpin was named the Conference USA Men’s Track Athlete of the Week after a successful weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational
- Evan Tomlinson was named the CUSA Male Freshman of the Week after an impressive showing at the Vanderbilt Invitational
- Bokpin now holds the fastest times in Conference USA in the 60m and 200m, and is part of the Blue Raider relay team with the fastest 4×400 time in the conference
- Tomlinson holds the fastest mark of all freshmen in Conference USA in the 200m, and the second fastest mark of all freshmen in the conference in the 60m
- The Blue Raiders will next compete in the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational on January 30 and 31
Introduction to the Athletes
The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders had a successful weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational, with two of their athletes earning weekly honors from Conference USA. Mustapha Bokpin was named the Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, while Evan Tomlinson was named the Male Freshman of the Week. Both athletes had impressive showings at the invitational, with Bokpin setting new personal bests and Tomlinson making a strong debut.
Mustapha Bokpin’s Performance
Mustapha Bokpin had a standout performance at the Vanderbilt Invitational, earning him the Conference USA Men’s Track Athlete of the Week award. He started the meet with a first place finish in the 200m, with a time of 20.99. This time is not only the fastest in Conference USA, but also ranks Bokpin as one of the top athletes in the nation. He is now one of only 11 athletes in the country to have run sub-21 seconds in the 200m, and his time is tied for 10th best in Division One. Bokpin also secured a second place finish in the 60m, with a time of 6.62, which ties him for 14th in the nation. Additionally, he was part of the Blue Raider relay team that finished second in the 4×400, with a time of 3:10.91.
Evan Tomlinson’s Performance
Evan Tomlinson also had an impressive showing at the Vanderbilt Invitational, earning him the CUSA Male Freshman of the Week award. The freshman started the weekend with a fifth place finish in the 200m, out of a competitive pool of 51 athletes, with a time of 21.87. He then finished 11th in the semi-finals of the 60m, with a personal best time of 6.89. Tomlinson was also part of the Blue Raider relay team that finished second in the 4×400, with a time of 3:10.91. His performance at the invitational has earned him the fastest mark of all freshmen in Conference USA in the 200m, and the second fastest mark of all freshmen in the conference in the 60m.
Upcoming Events
The Blue Raiders will next compete in the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational, which will be held on January 30 and 31 at the Norton Healthcare Sport and Learning Center in Louisville. This will be another opportunity for Bokpin and Tomlinson to showcase their skills and compete against top athletes from other universities. Fans can keep up with the Blue Raiders on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to stay updated on their progress and upcoming events.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mustapha Bokpin and Evan Tomlinson had an outstanding weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational, earning them both weekly honors from Conference USA. Bokpin’s performance has solidified his position as one of the top athletes in the nation, while Tomlinson’s debut has shown great promise for the future. The Blue Raiders will look to build on this momentum as they head to the PNC Lenny Lyles Invitational, where they will face stiff competition from other top universities. With their talent and dedication, the Blue Raiders are sure to make a strong showing in the upcoming meet.