PETERSBURG, Va. - Defending champions Saint Augustine's College and Johnson C. Smith University are the first-day leaders at the CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, which started Friday, April 20, 2012, at Rogers Stadium on the campus of Virginia State University.

Saint Augustine's College, seeking its 15 straight league men's crown under legendary head coach George Williams, holds a 51-36 advantage over Bowie State University after four events. Winston-Salem State University is third with 19 points.

The women's standings are much tighter with Johnson C. Smith leading Winston-Salem State by a slim 34-29 margin. Bowie State is right behind both teams with 28 points.

The Saint Augustine's College men were led by their jumpers on Friday. Led by two-time NCAA indoor champion Christopher Copeland, the Falcons took the top three places in the high jump. Copeland was the winner with a leap of 2.10 meters, and teammates Alexander Louden and Eddie Shelton both jumped 2.05 meters to finish second and third, respectively. Dejon Wilkinson is the CIAA long jump champion after leaping 7.37 meters.

The Falcons put themselves in position for another team championship by advancing 22 sprinters and runners to Saturday's finals in their respective events. Josh Edmonds, the nation's top-ranked 200-meter sprinter in Division II, heads four St. Aug sprinters in the 200-meter dash. Ronnie Griffith, the No. 1 110-meter hurdler in Division II, will be among four Falcons competing in the 110-meter hurdles finals. Included in that group is Jason Boyd, the No. 3 110-meter hurdler in Division II.

In other events Friday, Andrew Chebii of Winston-Salem State won the 1500-meter run in 4:05.03. Randale Watson of Johnson C. Smith was the winner in the shot put with a toss of 15.94 meters.

Johnson C. Smith, Bowie State and Winston-Salem State are in position to battle for the women's title because of the performances of their field athletes Friday. Imeshia Jones of Johnson C. Smith won the javelin throw with a distance of 38.77 meters, while Xahnn-Georgia Reid of Johnson C. Smith was second in the long jump with a leap of 5.93 meters. Danielle Williams of Johnson C. Smith was fourth in the long jump with a leap of 5.54 meters.

Brelyn Finley of Bowie State won the shot put with a throw of 13.07 meters. Brandy Peat of Bowie State was second in the shot put with a toss of 12.87 meters while Crystal Webley of Winston-Salem State was third with a throw of 12.31 meters and Kayla Campbell of Bowie State was fourth with a heave of 12.29 meters. Webley was also fourth in the javelin throw with a toss of 32.85 meters.

In other women results Friday, Taylor Ashley-Bean of Virginia State won the 3,000-meter run in 10:58.30. Brittany Abraham of Virginia Union won the long jump with a leap of 6.10 meters.

The championship meet concludes Saturday. The first event starts at 9 a.m.

Day 1 Results