PUEBLO, Colo.- Makanakaishe Charamba brought home a gold medal and a national title in the men's 100 and 200, Saturday, May 27 at the CSU Pueblo Thunderbowl.
Carson-Newman track and field concluded the final day of the 2023 NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships with gold medals and several All-American performances.
"Maka had an incredible week. He ran six races in three days, and his performance speaks a lot to his character," head track and field coach David Needs said.
Charamaba becomes the track and field program's fourth and fifth national champion, joining Larry Cooke (Long Jump, 1978) and Tanner Stepp (High Jump, 2018). He won gold in the men's 100-meter dash in 10.02 seconds, resetting his personal best in the event. Charamba also competed in the men's 200-meter dash and finished first in 20.19. Charamba became the program's third national champion during the indoor season when he grabbed a national title in the men's 200-meter dash with a time of 20.55 seconds at the Virginia Beach Sports Center in Virginia Beach, Va. Charamba set a facility record with his performance at the NCAA DII Indoor T&F Championships.
Charamba's pair of gold medals this evening make him the first athlete in school history to hold the title of three-time national champion. The only two-time national champion is Manon Compagner who made her mark with two national championship titles at the 2023 NCAA DII Swimming & Diving Championships in both the 100 butterfly and 100 freestyle events.
MAKA CHARAMBA
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) May 28, 2023
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By the tightest of margins, Maka wins the 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ to become the track program's fourth natty winner @CN_Track x #TalonsUp pic.twitter.com/iaIs5EbsMf
"It was an amazing weekend. It's an awesome experience to be among the best of the best and to know that we belong. We have been blessed this year," Needs said.
Charamba is leaving the championships with two national championships and three All-American performances. Devon Moore competed in the men's 100-meter dash and finished sixth to earn an All-American title with a finals time of 10.07.
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— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CN_Eagles) May 28, 2023
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Maka has three national titles in the last three months for @CN_Track #TalonsUp pic.twitter.com/5FmnpJrCRt
Charamba also gained All-American status in the men's 4x100-meter relay finals with teammates Moore, Dawson Jones, and Siphosethu Boya. The quartet placed second and garnered All-American accolades in the event with a time of 39.33 seconds.
"I'm proud of our relay team and all of our athletes who competed this week. We had people scoring in so many events, and there were a lot of obstacles that could have stood in the way. With the altitude and the pressure that comes with this level of competition, we truly had a great team performance," Needs said.
Ashwin Jood became an All-American in the men's 400-meter dash finals. Jood placed eighth with a new personal record of 46.76 seconds.
"I have to mention our coaching and how much hard work our team has put in. It's also important to recognize those on the team who weren't with us at this meet. The team has pushed each other all year to be the best they can be, and the athletes who attended this national meet were carrying a piece of their teammates with them for the journey. That truly makes a difference, and this weekend was a full team effort," Needs said.
Since 2015, the Eagles have had 59 All-Americans in 17 national championship appearances.
"It's been incredible. I'm thankful for the coaches, the team, and the effort that every athlete has brought to practices and meets throughout the year," Needs said.
Carson-Newman track and field officially closed the door on the 2023 outdoor season at the conclusion of the NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championships. The men ended the season ranked seventh in the nation with 32 points in the final ranking.
