Ansu Sowe Dominates NCJAA Meet

In a stunning display of speed, strength, desire, preparation, and talent, the Monroe Mustangs outdoor track team won their first-ever National Junior College Athletic Association, NJCAA Eastern District championship with a men's title in Newark, New Jersey on Sunday.

Gambian middle distance runner Ansu Sowe was the biggest winner of the two-day event. Monroe finished with 171 points; eleven more than host Essex County College who finished second. Numerous Monroe athletes turned in stellar performances to key the run to the title.

“I am bursting with pride,” said Coach Mark Goodman. “You don’t win these team championships by just showing up the day of the meet,” he said. “This title was earned by every member of this team who dedicated themselves all year long to reaching their potential. It’s particularly gratifying to me and our coaching staff to see them get their just rewards for all the work they put in since we started training in August.”

Monroe had numerous first-place finishers throughout the two-day meet with Ansu Sowe grabbing the headlines with three events – 10,000, 5,000 (15:19) and 1500 (4:09) metres. The lanky runner from Berending village in the North Bank Region of the Gambia took the 10,000m in 31.37, the 5,000 in 15.19 and 1500 in 4.09.

Ansu’s performances at the two-day championships have been described as “superb”. He qualified for the outdoor nationals in his very first race for Monroe back on March 24 finishing the 10,000 in 31.51.97. Those nationals take place May 15-17.