Saint Augustine's Men, Johnson C. Smith Women Repeat As CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Champions

4/19/2014 12:00:00 AM

PETERSBURG, Va. – Saint Augustine’s University ran away with its 17^th straight men’s title and Johnson C. Smith University won its second consecutive women’s crown on the final event of the 2014 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Scott Stadium on the Virginia State University campus Saturday, April 19, 2014.

St. Aug scored 193 points to win easily over Virginia State in the men’s standings. Virginia State placed second with 104 points and Virginia Union was third with 94 points.

2014 CIAA Women's Outdoor Track & Field Champions
Johnson C. Smith University

2014 CIAA Men's Outdoor Track & Field Champions
Saint Augustine's University

Johnson C. Smith pulled out a victory in the women’s 4x400 meter relay to edge St. Aug 132-131. St. Aug was leading by one point heading into the final event. Virginia State finished third with 112 points.

The men’s most valuable performer awards went to Te’Shad Chambers of Virginia State (Track) and Berfranz Charles of Virginia Union (Field). Chambers won the 100 and 200 meter dashes and was a member of the 4x400 meter relay team which finished second and the 4x100 squad which placed third. Charles captured the long jump, finished third in the triple jump and placed sixth in the pole vault. He won the long jump on Friday.

The women’s MVP honors went to Danielle Williams of Johnson C. Smith (Track) and Tajanel McNeil of Winston-Salem State (Field). Williams, one of the nation’s top Division II sprinters, won the 100 meter hurdles, the 100 meter dash and the 200 meter dash. She also was part of the winning 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. NcNeill was second in the triple jump, third in the high jump, sixth in the long jump and eighth in the javelin throw.

In the men’s division, Saint Augustine’s claimed five events including Eddie Shelton’s high jump victory on Friday. The Falcons, the nation’s top-ranked squad and defending national outdoor champions, had two competitors finish among the top three in six events.

The men’s individual champions on Saturday were Geovanie Foote of Johnson C. Smith (Javelin Throw), DeJon Wilkinson of Saint Augustine’s (Triple Jump), Matthew Huckabee of Lincoln (Pa.) (Discus Throw), Ty’reak Murray of Saint Augustine’s (110 Meter Hurdles), Chambers of Virginia State (100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash), James Quarles of Saint Augustine’s (400 Meter Dash), Roxroy Cato of Saint Augustine’s (400 Meter Hurdles), Torion Bailey of Saint Augustine’s (800 Meter Run) and Rhema Ndjami of Bowie State (5,000 Meter Run).

Saint Augustine’s won the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays. The quartet of Jermaine Jones, James Quarles, Daniel Jamieson and Taffawee Johnson were on the 4x100 squad, and the foursome of Joshua Edmonds, Quarles, Kevaughn Hewitt and Cato were on the winning 4x400 team.

In the women’s division, Johnson C. Smith trailed by one point to Saint Augustine’s which set the stage for a climatic race between the two nationally-ranked 4x400 teams. Johnson C. Smith topped Saint Augustine’s by approximately two seconds in the relay race to win the conference championship.

The women’s individual champions on Saturday were Alicia Terry of Virginia State (Triple Jump), Millicent Barber of Virginia State (Discus Throw), Vernesse Thomas-Quickly of Bowie State (High Jump), Williams of Johnson C. Smith (100 Meter Hurdles, 100 Meter Dash, 200 Meter Dash), Quanera Hayes of Livingstone (400 Meter Dash), Tia-Adana Belle of Saint Augustine’s (400 Meter Hurdles), Hughnique Rolle of Virginia State (800 Meter Run) and Taylor-Ashley Bean of Virginia State (1,500 Meter Run).

Johnson C. Smith took the 4x100 and 4x400 meter relays. The 4x100 squad consisted of Shamaz Quince, Williams, Trudy-Ann Richards and Samantha Elliott. The 4x400 group included A’Tyan Kennedy, Tovea Jenkins, Crystal Campbell and Williams.

During the meet, George Williams of Saint Augustine’s was named CIAA Men’s Indoor Coach of the Year and Lennox Graham of Johnson C. Smith was selected CIAA Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year.