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Deaf Student Outruns NJ Sprinter In Historic Capture Of National Title

New Jersey's Cheickna Traore needed only .35 seconds to catch Eric Gregory, the Gallaudet University sophomore who gave his school its first-ever national title Memorial Day Weekend.

Gallaudet's Eric Gregory and Ramapo's Cheickna Traore

Gallaudet's Eric Gregory and Ramapo's Cheickna Traore

Photo Credit: Gallaudet University

Gregory made history for the Washington DC-based school for deaf students during the 400-meter dash at the 2022 NCAA Division III outdoor track & field championships Saturday, May 28.

Gallaudet is a federally funded school for the deaf and hard of hearing, and has recently been featured in the popular Netflix documentary, Deaf U.

Ramapo College's Traore, of Jersey City, trailed right behind Gregory in second place for the 400-meter dash, finishing in 46.54 seconds.

Gregory's time makes him the record-holder for the 8th fastest time for the 400-meter dash in Division III history. Even after that blazing run, Gregory managed to secure the third place finish in the 200-meter dash.

In the 200m dash, Traore posted the second-best time in NCAA Division III history while he also improved his own school record time in 20.56 seconds. Traore's wins Saturday make him a three-time NCAA All-American.

The championships were held at the Spire Institute and hosted by the University of Mount Union and the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.

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