Falcons Win 2008 NCAA Division II Men's Indoor Track and Field Crown
March 16, 2008
MANKATO, MN - Saint Augustine's College won its third straight
men's national title and also finished second nationally in the
women's standings at the 2008 NCAA Division II Indoor Track and
Field Championships held at Myers Field House on Minnesota State
University's campus.
Legendary head coach George Williams has now directed the Falcons
to 30 NCAA Division II national track and field titles including 11
national men's indoor championships.
Williams says his men's team was determined to win the
championship.
"Any championship is hard but these kids pulled together and
worked," said Williams, who was named 2008 regional women's coach
of the year.
Leading by one point heading into the final day, the Falcon men
scored points in sprints and jumping events to pull away from the
field. The Falcons finished with 68 points to beat challengers
Abilene Christian (49 points) and Adams State (39 points).
The Falcon men were led by Joe Kindred (Fuquay-Varina, NC) and the
4x400 relay team. Kindred, the 2008 men's regional field MVP,
captured the high jump title and placed second in the long jump on
Friday. The foursome of Alvin Miles (Kingsville, TX), Chris Cox
(Tinton Falls, NJ), Antonio Abney (Willingboro, NJ) and Randy Curry
(Trussville, AL) sealed the title Saturday by winning the 4x400 in
the final event.
Curry also finished second in the 400 dash, and Dennis Boone
(Petersburg, VA) was third in the 200 for the Falcons. Brandon
Quarles (Phoenix, AZ) was third in the long jump and triple jump,
and Ramon Gittens (St. Michaels, Barbados) and Jermaine Baker
(Goldsboro, NC) placed fourth, respectively, in the 60 dash and 60
hurdles for the Falcons.
On the women's side, Barbara Pierre (Winter Haven, FL) swept the 60
dash and 200 dash titles for the Lady Falcons, who barely lost 55
to 48 to national champion Adams State despite competing with seven
women.
"Yeah, I'm proud of the way they performed," Williams said about
the Lady Falcons. "We might have scored even more points had a
couple of breaks went our way."
Pierre, a sophomore, won the 60 dash for the second straight year
but she was stunned to win the 200 as well.
"I was very surprised because I was ranked 13th, and ended up
coming in first," Pierre said.
Erica Young (Raleigh, NC), the 2008 women's regional track MVP, won
the 400 dash for the Lady Falcons and she helped Kyra Mobley (Ft.
Lauderdale, FL), Sharona Brown Manchester, Jamaica) and Aisha
George (Patience, Tobago) place third in the 4x400 relay. Treva
Hutchinson (Miami, FL) finished third in the long jump, and
LaKischa Fontenot (Sacramento, CA) placed fourth in the high jump
for the Lady Falcons.
Overall, it was a good meet for the Falcons and Lady Falcons
according to Williams.
"I hope they are as successful in life as they are on the track,"
Williams said.