Nigerian athletes Blessing Ogundiran and Queen Usunobun delivered standout performances in the United States collegiate athletics circuit, winning national titles at the NAIA and NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships respectively.
Competing for Warner University Royals, Ogundiran claimed gold in the women’s 60 metres, clocking 7.31 seconds to secure the national title and cap an impressive indoor season.
The victory followed a strong campaign in which the sophomore sprinter remained unbeaten in the 60m during the indoor season and earlier equalled the long-standing NAIA record of 7.20 seconds at the Sun Conference Indoor Championships in Florida.
At the NJCAA Championships, Usunobun, representing Hillsborough Community College, successfully defended her women’s 400m title, finishing first in 54.07 seconds to secure back-to-back national crowns in the event.
Other Nigerians also impressed at the competitions. Surprise Babalola won silver in the men’s 60m at the NAIA Championships with a personal best of 6.67 seconds, while Mary Laha earned bronze in the women’s 60m hurdles at the NJCAA meet.
The performances highlight the growing impact of Nigerian athletes in the American collegiate athletics system, with several emerging talents making podium appearances across multiple events.
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