Freshman JayDeen Batchelor Sweeps Sprint Titles as Central State Women Finish Runner-Up at Championships
Central State University women's track & field put together one of its strongest meets of the season, fueled by championship wins, big event-point totals, and depth across the track and field events. Behind a sensational double from freshman JayDeen Batchelor and a pivotal runner-up finish in the throws, the Marauders claimed second place overall in the team standings with 131 points, finishing behind champion Tuskegee (241 points).
Sprint Star: Batchelor Delivers a Championship Double
The headline performance of the meet belonged to JayDeen Batchelor (FR), who stepped onto the track as one of the most dangerous sprinters in the field and left no doubt.
Batchelor opened her meet in the women's 60-meter final, where she surged to the line for the championship in 7.61—a time marked as NCAA Division II quality. Her victory brought home 10 crucial team points and set the tone for Central State's day.
She wasn't finished.
Later, Batchelor returned for the women's 200-meter final and produced another statement performance, winning the title in 24.72 for her second gold medal of the meet. With another 10 points in the team race, Batchelor's two victories accounted for 20 points by themselves and helped propel Central State into the runner-up position.
Batchelor's consistency was on display from the start as well. She was the fastest qualifier in the 60-meter prelims with a 7.63, then came back even better in the final. In the 200 prelims, she clocked 24.96 before dropping the winning 24.72 in the championship race.
Central State's 60-Meter Group Makes an Impact
Central State placed multiple athletes into the 60-meter field and came away with more than just a title. In addition to Batchelor's win, Favour Oladapo (FR) reached the 60-meter final and added important points with a sixth-place finish in 7.94. Oladapo also qualified in 7.94 in prelims, showing consistency through both rounds.
Big Points in the Throws: Campbell Finishes Second in Weight Throw
While the sprints grabbed the spotlight, one of the most important scoring swings of the meet came in the throws.
Janihya Campbell (SO) delivered a massive performance in the women's weight throw, finishing second overall with a mark of 13.96m (45' 9.75") to secure 8 points for Central State. Campbell's runner-up finish came in a tightly contested event, and her big throw helped keep the Marauders firmly in the hunt for the top of the team standings throughout the meet.
Team Race: Marauders Finish Second Overall
In the final team results, Central State's combination of championship wins and consistent point scoring across events resulted in a second-place team finish:
Women's Team Scores
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Tuskegee – 241
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Central State – 131
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Benedict – 75
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Kentucky State – 58
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Allen – 50
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Savannah State – 32
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Lane – 30
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Edward Waters – 11
Tuskegee's depth across sprints, hurdles, and distance events powered them to the team title, but Central State separated itself from the rest of the field behind the top-end championship performances and key scoring finishes—especially in the high-value events like sprints and throws.
Key Central State Highlights (Winners & Runner-Up Finishes)
Central State's biggest podium moments came in the following events:
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Women's 60 Meters: JayDeen Batchelor (FR) – 1st, 7.61 (10 pts)
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Women's 200 Meters: JayDeen Batchelor (FR) – 1st, 24.72 (10 pts)
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Women's Weight Throw: Janihya Campbell (SO) – 2nd, 13.96m (8 pts)
A Championship Meet to Build On
From the first gun to the final results, Central State competed with confidence and purpose. Batchelor's sprint sweep delivered the meet's signature moment for the Marauders, while Campbell's runner-up finish in the weight throw provided a major scoring push in the field.
With a second-place team finish and multiple event wins and podium performances, Central State leaves the championship meet with momentum—and with clear proof that the program can contend at the top of the conference/field when it matters most.
Up Next: Central State will carry that momentum into the next phase of the season as the Marauders prepare for upcoming meets and postseason opportunities.
Marauders Men's Track and Field Shine in Sprints and Mid-Distance as Cochran Wins 60m, Marks Leads Strong 800m Group
Central State's men's track & field squad delivered a statement day built on speed, depth, and points across multiple event groups, highlighted by Jae-Lijah Cochran's title in the 60 meters and a strong showing from the Marauders' middle-distance unit in the 800 meters and distance medley relay.
Cochran Captures Gold in the 60
Cochran backed up a fast preliminary round (6.88) with an even better performance when it mattered most, sprinting to the 60-meter championship in 6.77 to claim 10 points for the Marauders. Central State also advanced another sprinter to the final mix, as Kaname Bryant posted 7.03 in the prelims.
Cochran didn't stop there—he doubled back in the 200 meters, finishing 5th in 21.91 to add four more points and continue a productive day in the short sprints.
Big Points in the 400 and Relays
Central State's quarter-milers put valuable points on the board in the 400 meters, led by Qimarreon Marks, who finished 4th in 49.09 for five points. The Marauders carried that momentum into the 4x400 relay, where the quartet of Kaname Bryant, Anthony Thompson Jr., Austin Fenn, and Qimarreon Marks ran 3:17.66 to place 3rd and score six points, finishing just behind Tuskegee and Morehouse in a tightly contested final section.
Mid-Distance Depth Shows Up: 800 + DMR
Central State's 800-meter group was one of the day's strongest storylines. QiAden Marks narrowly missed the title, taking 2nd in 1:55.31 for eight points, while the Marauders added even more scoring with Ivory Payne placing 3rd (1:57.41) and Jason Maddickes taking 4th (1:58.61)—a big cluster of points in one event.
That same core helped Central State secure another podium finish in the distance medley relay, as Andrew Drumwright, Ivory Payne, Jason Maddickes, and QiAden Marks combined for 11:00.10 to finish 2nd, scoring eight points.
Field/Multis Contributions
Central State also picked up key points in the field and multis:
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Jevon Warren cleared 1.95m in the high jump to place 5th and score three points.
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Myles Russell earned a point in the heptathlon, finishing 8th with 3464.
By the Numbers
