Emmanuel Matadi Wins Men’s 100-Meter With Time of 9.91

Denisha Cartwright, ’24, Maverick and D2 record holder in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, placed fourth against the world’s best at the 2024 Holloway Pro Classic in Gainesville, Fla., as Olympic athletes prime for the Paris games.

Former Maverick, Emmanuel Matadi, racing for Liberia, set a new national record in the 100-meter dash, with a time of 9.91 (wind legal) to win the men’s 100-meter dash.

Emmanuel and fellow Maverick sprinter, Jabez Reeves, who he recruited to Minnesota State Mankato, will also represent Liberia in the mens 4×100 relay.

Qualifying for the finals in what the American Track League touted as the “best women’s 100-meter field outside of maybe only the Olympic final,” Denisha, representing the Bahamas, placed fourth against four of the current fastest racers in the world. Lane holders included world record holder Toby Amusan (12.12) of Nigeria, former record holder Keni Harrison (12.20) of the USA, and Masi Russel, (fourth all-time at 12.25) from the USA.

Running into a headwind, Denisha was first of the blocks and ended with fourth-place time of 12.79 following Russell in third at 12.66, and Amusan, second at 12.60. Winning the race was Grace Stark (12th in the world) of the USA with a time of 12.58.

Following the race, Denisha was back in Mankato before heading to Paris. There she met with Coach Chris Parno, Associate Head Coach of Mavericks Men’s & Women’s Track and Field Coach, who said they worked on strengthening her finish. Parno added that he will be attending the Paris Games as Denisha prepares for her preliminary round on Aug. 8.

In Nassau, Bahamas, The Tribune reported that Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) overseeing the country’s Olympic team, feels very ‘good’ about the 20 athletes wearing the Bahamas colors. Returning for another medal run is Steven Gardner, who won gold in the men’s 400m at the 2020 Toyko Olympics. Denisha is one of three team members qualifying for the women’s 100m hurdles.

“I expect to get some medals most definitely with this group,” he said. “I anticipate at least two to three medals at minimum. We know Stevie is gonna do his thing, be on top of his game. I am also looking at the 100m hurdles and I am hoping that we can bring home at least two medals in that. I cannot say who they will be but if we can bring home three that would be good.”