PITTSBURG, Kan.- Carson-Newman women's track and field athlete Kadidja Sangare finished eighth in the women's long jump this afternoon, Mar. 8, at the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships to garner First Team All-American honors.
�� 1st Team All-American ��
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) March 8, 2024
Kadidja Sangare placed eighth in the women's long jump with a 5.93-meter leap ���� @CN_Track X #TalonsUp pic.twitter.com/gnfJliOS5h
Sangare competed in the women's long jump this afternoon, Mar. 8, at 2:00 p.m. She qualified for the finals and finished eighth in the event with a 5.93-meter leap. Sangare became a First Team All-American with her performance and is the 59th All-American for Carson-Newman track and field since 2015.
"I'm just proud. For Kadidja to make the finals in the long jump while the Division II record is being broken at the same time is just incredible," head track and field coach David Needs said. "It's not like the field was average. The field was really good, and she excelled. I'm proud of the mentality she had to go in and excel against a talented group of ladies".
This is Sangare's third trip to face national competition since joining the C-N track and field team as an Eagle last year. Sangare was selected to attend the 2023 NCAA DII Indoor T&F Championships for her 6.00-meter seed mark in the event last season. Her efforts afforded her an eleventh-place spot in the nation which earned her Second Team All-American honors. Sangare finished the event with a 5.83-meter jump and became the first female long jump All-American in Carson-Newman track and field history. During last season's outdoor nationals, Sangare placed sixth in the long jump with a 6.11-meter leap becoming a First Team All-American for her efforts.
"She had an amazing day. If people asked what our badge of honor is at Carson-Newman, I would say that when we take people to nationals, they come out All-Americans," Needs said. "There were schools that came today with top seeds who didn't do much. We are proud to be walking away with trophies".
�� That's finals worthy ��
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) March 8, 2024
Sade De Sousa finishes second in her heat with a season-best 7.42-second 60 dash prelim time ����@CN_Track X #TalonsUp pic.twitter.com/2KkORvDB6r
"Sade also set herself up really well today. She was racing against one of the fastest women in Division II," Needs said. "We are excited about what she did today, and we are proud that we get to watch her race in the finals tomorrow".
Sade De Sousa competed in the 60-meter dash prelims this afternoon, Mar. 8, at 3:15 p.m. She finished second in her heat with a season-best 7.42-second prelim time. De Sousa will race for All-American status in the 60 dash finals tomorrow, Mar. 9, at 5:30 p.m. Live results for the event can be found HERE.
"These ladies have come with intent and purpose. They don't get rattled, and they excel at what they do," Needs said. "We are proud as a staff, and I'm proud of my staff. I've got two amazing assistant coaches with me that turn out All-Americans, and as a head coach, that is something you are really grateful for. We know more good things are coming".
Carson-Newman track and field's De Sousa will race for All-American status tomorrow, Mar. 9, during the second day of the 2024 NCAA DII Indoor Track & Field Championships. Stay up to date on cneagles.com.
