BLACKSBURG, Va. – Freshman Randolph Ross is having a great start to his collegiate career. Two weeks after he ran the fastest time in the world this year in the men's 400 meters at the University of Kentucky in his collegiate debut, Ross stepped off the track a bit Saturday at the Hokie Invitational at Virginia Tech's Rector Field House.
 
He was once again successful as he finished first in the men's high jump at 6-feet, 8 ¾-inches. Freshman Kolby Cuthrell finished fifth with a jump of 6-feet, 2 ¾-inches.
 
Ross also triumphed on the track at Virginia Tech. He teamed with seniors Trevor Stewart, Akeem Sirleaf and Elijah Young to run a 3:11.87 in the men's 4x400-meter relay. Ross, Stewart, Sirleaf and senior Kemarni Mighty ran the 4x400 in 3:06.06 at the Jim Green Invitational at the University of Kentucky for the No. 1 time in the nation. The Aggies 4x400 'B' team of seniors Chase Bonham, Brandy Felix, Mighty and sophomore Akeem Lindo finished second in 3:16.72.
 
The women were also prosperous in the 4x400. The team of graduate Tori Ray, sophomores Cambrea Sturgis and Nia Lundy and junior Payton Russell ran the relay in 3:40.61. The 'B' team of freshman Donae Adams, sophomore Kamaya Debose-Epps, and juniors Kayla Foy and Declecia McDuffie finished fourth in 3:49.59.
 
In addition to his win in the 4x400, Young was also victorious in the men's 400m. He posted a time of 47.64 to win the event.
 
N.C. A&T also had five second-place finishes on Saturday including a huge showing in the women's 200m. Sophomore Nilaja Florence led the way by finishing second in a personal-best time of 24.21. She was followed closely by Debose-Epps who finished third in 24.27. Foy (24.61) and sophomore Aisha Southern (24.79) finished seventh and ninth respectively.
 
In the men's 200m, Sirleaf finished in 21.53 to finish second.
 
There were also terrific showings beyond the sprints. Sophomore Regan Kimtai finished second in the men's 800m in 1:51.05. On the women's side of the 800, senior G'Jasmyne Butler finished third in 2:12.42. Also finishing second was Kenady Wilson in the women's high jump. Her best jump was 5-feet, 6-inches.
 
N.C. A&T dominated the women's 400m as well. Five Aggies finished in the top-15 starting with Ray who completed her race in 54.02. McDuffie was seventh (55.66), Russell was eighth (55.72), Taliyah Townsend was 11th (57.25) and Adams was 14th (58.47).
 
The other top-5 finish for the Aggies was Loren James who finished fifth in the women's shot put with her best throwing landing at 46-feet, 11 ¾-inches.
 
 The Aggies will send some athletes to Lubbock, Texas for the Texas Tech Invitational, Jan. 30-Feb.1. Some Aggies are headed to the University of South Carolina for the Carolina Challenge, Jan. 31-Feb. 1.