Gono Phiri garners NCAC Athlete of the Week award

CLEVELAND, Ohio — After adding a top podium placement and rewriting a program record at the All-Ohio Championship, Tapiwa Gono Phiri represented Kenyon as the Men’s Outdoor Sprints/Hurdles Athlete of the Week for the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC).

Gono Phiri gained recognition after his stellar performance on the campus of Ohio Wesleyan University. After racking up top finishes in two events, the sophomore scored 18 of Kenyon’s 37.5 points, helping the Owls finish ninth overall. Gono Phiri produced a gold-medal finish in the 100-meter dash, clocking in at 10.84 seconds. The time set a season-best in the event for both Gono Phiri and the Owls.

Later, in the 200-meter dash, the Ndola, Zambia, native rewrote the Kenyon record books. Gono Phiri crossed the finish line in 21.95 seconds, breaking the previous program mark of 21.96 set by Carlo Gagliardo on May 4, 2013. His record-setting time was good for a second-place finish in the event. The sprinter now holds the Kenyon record in both the 100- and 200-meter dash, and he will be looking to defend his 2022 NCAC title in the 100 in a few weeks.

First, Gono Phiri and the Owls get to showcase their skills at home in Gambier, Ohio, their next time out. Kenyon is set to host the Kenyon Invitational on Saturday, April 22, on Wilder Track. The outdoor event is scheduled to start at 10 a.m.