SUNO Women Earn Two National Championships, Finish 4th Overall

Complete Meet Results

GULF SHORES, Alabama -- Southern University at New Orleans had its most successful trip to the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in more than two decades, finishing fourth overall and producing two national champions.

The Lady Knights were led by senior Orenthia Bennett, who captured the women's 400 meter crown. Bennett was also a member of the national champion 4x400 meter relay team, along with freshman Shantae Green, sophomore Shadae Hylton, and senior Leonie Robinson.

SUNO's women compiled six top-five finishes overall, with Hylton taking third place in the 400 meters,sophomore Oshin Brooks-Gillings finishing fourth in the 100 meters, Green ran fifth in the 400 meter hurdles, and the team of sophomore Chantal Pennie, Hylton, Brooks-Gillings, and Robinson finished second in the 4x100 meter relay.

"This was an outstanding team effort", said SUNO head coach Yhann Plummer. "The team was excited to finish fourth, but they felt like they could have done even better. We left a few points out there on the track this weekend, but overall I can't be anything but proud of the work that they put in this entire season and here at the national championships."

The SUNO men's team produced three All-Americans. Freshman Danielle Richards came in fifth in the 400 meters and senior Chad Thomas finished sixth in the 400 meter hurdles. Alex Saunders was the team's top performer, earning a third place finish in the men's 800 meter run.

"We're going to lose some great athletes and leaders in people like Orenthia (Bennett) and Chad (Thomas), but I think the future is very bright for SUNO track. We'll be back next year and we'll build on this. Right now I'm just excited for our team and our university."

SUNO Outdoor Track & Field All-Americans

Women
Athlete	Yr.	Event
Orenthia Bennett	Sr.	400m*, 4x400m relay*
Oshin Brooks-Gillings	So.	100m, 4x100m relay
Shantae Green	Fr.	400m hurdles, 4x400m relay*
Shadae Hylton	So.	400m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay*
Chantal Pennie	So.	4x100m relay
Leonie Robinson	Sr.	4x100m relay, 4x400m relay*
Men
Athlete	Yr.	Event
Danielle Richards	Fr.	400m
Alex Saunders	Jr.	800m
Chad Thomas	Sr.	400m hurdles

*National Champion

COURTESY GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEDIA RELATIONS