BOSTON, Mass. – On the opening night of the 2024 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships, junior Kenneth Ikeji earned his first indoor national title, finishing atop the podium in the men's weight throw with a throw of 24.32 m (79'9.5"). Ikeji is the first indoor NCAA national champion on the men's side since 1979 and is the sixth NCAA indoor national champion in men's program history.

Ikeji, a native of London, England, is a two-time NCAA national champion, taking home the men's hammer throw crown at the 2023 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Austin, Texas last season.

Entering the NCAA Indoor Championships, Ikeji owned the longest throw in the nation, improving his school record and setting a new Ivy League record of 24.39m (80'0.25") at the 2024 Ivy League Heptagonal Indoor Track & Field Championships.

On his second attempt of the preliminaries, Ikeji stepped into the circle and tossed the winning throw, as the weight fell at 24.32m. Ikeji's attempt stood atop the leaderboard for the duration of the event, as California State University North Ridge's Trey Knight finished in second with an attempt of 24.14m (79'2.5").

With one event scored, Harvard sits atop the team standings with 10 points.

???????? ?????????? ??

Kenneth Ikeji is a two-time national champion, winning the weight throw at the 2024 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships! #GoCrimson pic.twitter.com/WpUcmWb8qT

— Harvard T&F | XC (@HarvardTFXC) March 8, 2024

HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ikeji captures his first weight throw national championship and is now a two-time NCAA national champion.
• A native of London, England, Ikeji is the program's first indoor national champion on the men's side since 1979.
• Ikeji is the sixth men's NCAA indoor national champion in program history.

Taking Center Stage ??#GoCrimson pic.twitter.com/DbUnzLRg36

— Harvard T&F | XC (@HarvardTFXC) March 7, 2024

UP NEXT:

The 2024 NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships continue tomorrow, as Harvard student-athletes Maia Ramsden and Sophia Gorriaran will feature in semifinal action. At approximately 7:00 p.m., Ramsden will run the mile semifinals while Gorriaran will take the track at approximately 7:50 p.m. for the 800m semifinals. All the action will stream live on ESPN+.

For complete coverage of Harvard Track & Field, follow us on Twitter (@HarvardTFXC) and Instagram (@harvardtfxc).