Norfolk State University senior sprinter, Kai Cole, put the HBCU track and field world on notice with his performances at the MEAC outdoor track and field championships. Cole ran an Olympic trial automatic qualifying time of 10.05 seconds in the 100m dash, clinching the MEAC title and a top 10 national ranking.
An Olympic trial automatic qualifying time is listed in the USATF qualifying information as “All athletes who have met the Automatic standards will be qualified for the 2024 US Olympic Team Trials, regardless of field size.”
In the 200m event, Cole clocked a time of 20.55 seconds, earning himself another MEAC championship title and surpassing the Olympic minimum mark.
An Olympic trial minimum qualifying time is listed in the USATF qualifying information as “There is a minimum standard in place for all events (with the exception of the 20km Race Walk) and fields will not be filled beyond these minimum standards. For the 20km Race Walk, fields may be filled by the Race Walk Committee for athletes who do not meet the Automatic standards.” This means the HBCU speedster will qualify if his time ranks him within the number of runners allowed in the field size.
Last year, Cole dominated the MEAC track and field championships in both the 100m and 200m events, showcasing his versatility and raw talent. As he prepares for the East Regional competition, all eyes are on Kai Cole as the Norfolk State senior continues his quest for Olympic glory.
Learn more about Kai Cole before he heads to the Olympic Trials
Kai Cole was a state 6A champion in the outdoor 200 meters as a senior in high school. Cole was also a state runner-up in the 55m and third place in the 100 as a senior and was also an all-state performer in the 55, 100, and 200 meters as a junior.
He was a Division III national champion in the 60-meter dash as a freshman. Cole clocked a PR of 6.77 seconds in the prelims at the indoor nationals during the outdoor season.
Cole was conference champion and first-team All-American in the 100-meter dash he placed eighth in the 100m at the D-III nationals with his top wind-legal times being 10.70 in the 100 and 21.33 in the 200 broke the school indoor and outdoor 200m records and the 60-meter dash record as well.