Maroon Tigers Run It Back: Morehouse Claims Second Straight SIAC Indoor Championship

Morehouse College is bringing hardware back to Atlanta again. Powered by a surge of gold-medal distance performances and big points on the track and in the field, the Maroon Tigers captured their second consecutive SIAC Indoor Championship on Feb. 19-20 at the Norton Healthcare SLC, running away from the field with 149 points. Tuskegee finished second with 92 points, followed by Benedict (84), Kentucky State (77) and Central State (74) as Morehouse stacked points across nearly every event group.

I just want to congratulate our men's track & field team on going back-to-back as SIAC Indoor champions," said Morehouse Director of Athletics Harold Ellis. "This championship reflects discipline, unity, and a standard of excellence that represents Morehouse the right way. Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches on an outstanding performance and a well-earned repeat."

How Morehouse Won 

Morehouse built the title on balance, but the separation came from big-point event wins and stacked podium finishes.

• Sprints set the early tone. Michael Simmons Jr. opened the meet by taking silver in the 60 meters (6.85), then later delivered a championship swing by winning the 400 meters in 47.87. Simmons also produced an NCAA-marked performance in the 200 prelims (21.50) and added more points in the final.
• The distance group owned the middle and long events. Morehouse swept the mile podium — Dennis Kibet won in 4:27.36, Victor Chebii took silver in 4:29.66, and Owynn Brown grabbed bronze in 4:31.89 — a massive, meet-defining haul. Chebii also captured gold in the 3000 (9:12.45) and added silver in the 5000 (15:45.32) to keep stacking points. Brown added another championship highlight by winning gold in the 800 (1:55.13).
• Relays also delivered. The Maroon Tigers won gold in the Distance Medley Relay (10:47.47) with Chebii, Rakesh Olanda, Brown, and Kibet, then later secured silver in the 4x400 (3:16.79) to close out critical team scoring.
• Field event points contributed also. Logan Jones earned bronze in the pole vault (3.80m), while Isaiah Reaves threw 14.23m for bronze in the weight throw, helping Morehouse keep distance on the chase pack.

"The young Men of Morehouse achieved this accomplishment as a team," said Head Coach Willie Hill. " They represented the program well and each individual played a significant part, whether they picked up a medal, pickup up points, or just competed. This is one of the best team effort that I have been a part of."

Medalists

Gold

• 400m: Michael Simmons Jr. — 47.87
• 800m: Owynn Brown — 1:55.13
• Mile: Dennis Kibet — 4:27.36
• 3000m: Victor Chebii — 9:12.45
• DMR: Morehouse (Chebii, Olanda, Brown, Kibet) — 10:47.47

Silver

• 60m: Michael Simmons Jr. — 6.85
• Mile: Victor Chebii — 4:29.66
• 5000m: Victor Chebii — 15:45.32
• 60H: Keonte Knight — 8.30
• 4x400: Morehouse (Sidney Morris, Jayden Smith, Khalil Johnson, Simmons Jr.) — 3:16.79

Bronze

• Mile: Owynn Brown — 4:31.89
• Pole Vault: Logan Jones — 3.80m
• Weight Throw: Isaiah Reaves — 14.23m

Top Maroon Tigers by total points (individual + relay)

• Victor Chebii — 28.5 points (26 individual + 2.5 relay)
• Michael Simmons Jr. — 25 points (23 + 2)
• Dennis Kibet — 19.5 points (17 + 2.5)
• Owynn Brown — 18.5 points (16 + 2.5)
• Keonte Knight — 8 points

Chebii's championship weekend was also recognized by the league, as the SIAC named him Men's Track Performer of the Year, while legendary head coach Willie Hill earned Coach of the Year honors after guiding Morehouse to back-to-back titles.

NCAA qualifying marks

Michael Simmons Jr.'s achieved two NCAA Division II qualifier marks:

• 200m (prelims): 21.50 (21.58 NCAA provisional benchmark)
• 400m (final): 47.87 (48.28 NCAA provisional benchmark)

Team Scores

1. Morehouse | 149
2. Tuskegee | 92
3. Benedict | 84
4. Kentucky State | 77
5. Central State | 74
6. Allen | 72
7. Savannah State | 52
8. Lane | 35
9. Edward Waters | 18