Saint Augustine's College Wins 2007 Indoor Track and Field National Titles
March 10, 2007
BOSTON, MA - Saint Augustine's College dominated the competition in winning both the men's and women's national titles at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships at Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday, March 10, 2007.
Saint Augustine's won its 29th national track championship, including 10 men's national indoor titles and sixth women's national indoor crowns under legendary coach George Williams, in convincing fashion. The Falcons scored 88 points to distance themselves from annual nemesis Abilene Christian, which placed second with 48.5 points in the men's standings. The Lady Falcons ran away with the women's title, scoring 105 points to rout Lincoln, which finished second with 64 points.
This year marked the first time since 2001 that Saint Augustine's swept both men's and women's titles at the national indoor meet. The Falcons' men have won two straight indoor championships, while the Lady Falcons captured their first championship since 2005.
For the men, the sprinters sparked the win as Jamaal Torrance became the national champion in two races, the 400 dash (46.58) and the 200 dash (21.19). His time of 21.19 in the 200 set a national meet record as Torrance blasted the field. His nearest competitor was teammate Dennis Boone, who placed second in 21.43. Torrance snapped the meet record of 21.25 set by Michael Lawrence of Minnesota State in 2005.
In the last men's race, the Falcons put an exclamation point on the national title by winning the 4x400 relay in 3:09.92. The relay team consisted of Laurias Eugene, Andre Thompson, Jamaal Torrance and Randy Curry.
Depth enabled the Falcons to pull away as runners such as Dennis Boone (60 dash/2nd), Philippe DeRosier (60 dash/4th), Dior Lowry (60 hurdles/3rd), Curry (400 dash/3rd) finished high to score points.
The women's competition was all about the Lady Falcons as they won seven events including three events by Kwonya Ferguson. Ferguson captured the high jump (5-10.5) and the triple jump (43-6) on Saturday to go along with her long jump national title on Friday. Ferguson, who won all three events at the CIAA Championships in February, was the top-seeded athlete in all three events entering nationals.
The combination of Ferguson and the sprinters made the Lady Falcons impossible to beat. Johnsie Liles won the 400 dash (52.94) and was second in the 200 dash (24.05), setting a national meet record in the process in the 200. Marquita Davis won the 60 hurdles (8.44), tying a national meet record, and Barbara Pierre set a national meet record in winning the 60 dash (7.41).
The Lady Falcons won the 4x400 relay in 3:40.71. The relay team consisted of Aisha George, Treva Hutchinson, Erica Young and Liles.