Former Pine Bush track star earns full ride to Maryland-Eastern Shore

Zavior Brown

Delhi, NY - Former Pine Bush standout Zavior Brown is going to get a taste of home cooking at his next college destination.

Brown, a four-time junior college national champion at SUNY Delhi, has accepted a full scholarship to attend the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Hawks are coached by Ernest Barrett, who, like Brown, hails from Jamaica.

"I am excited,'' Barrett said. "He has a lot of talent. ... I feel he will have an immediate impact on our program. He's also a solid kid academically, too. He has the total package.'' Brown won the NJCAA Division III national title in the 3,200-meter relay and the 800-meter run in 2010 and 2011. He is a nine-time NJCAA All-American and competed on Delhi's 2009 and 2010 cross-country national title teams.

Brown set five school records at Delhi, three indoors (500, 600, 800) and two outdoors (3,200 relay, distance medley relay).

READ MORE

FAMU’S Angel Signs Stellar Inaugural Class for 2011-12

Tallahassee, FL - Florida A&M Head Men’s Track and Field Coach Wayne Angel announced the signing of ten student-athletes to grant-aid today for the 2011-2012 season.

Coach W. Wayne Angel

“I am very pleased and excited about the potential and possibilities of these student athletes,” said second year coach Angel. "They are tough, talented and have a no-nonsense approach to work, which will be necessary in helping FAMU in re-establishing its presence in the MEAC.

“We have added depth and talent to our sprint and hurdles groups, our 4x100 and 4x400 relays will bring a lot of excitement to the hill and hopefully ignite a fire in the hearts and minds of our students and alumni to come out and support us,” Angel said.

Here are the 2011-12 signees:

Elias Chesire- Distance- (Eldoret, Kenya) distance star with times of 3:52, 8:17, 14:28 and 29.40 respectively in the 1500, 3k, 5k and 10k. Chesire and FAMU distance ace Shuaib Winters will look to be a formidable tandem in the MEAC.

READ MORE
VISIT: FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS

Hampton U. grad Kellie Wells wins national title in 100M hurdles

Eugene, Ore. - Kellie Wells' long, tough road back has reached a golden milestone. The 2006 Hampton University graduate is America's new women's 100-meter hurdles champion and bound for the IAAF World Championships of Track and Field starting late August in Daegu, Korea.

It took Wells just 12.50 seconds to take the gold medal at the USA Championships on Sunday at historic Hayward Field and put all her past tribulations behind her. She fought off old rivals Danielle Carruthers (second in 12.59) and Dawn Harper (third in 12.65) to claim her first American title and a trip to her first Worlds.

"It was tough at times but I was always hopeful a day like this would come," said Wells. "I'm just happy to be on top, to be looked as the best hurdler. "This (the Worlds) will be my first team, my first time to wear the US logo on my chest. "It will be an amazing honor and I can't wait to represent my country."




READ MORE

Former Hampton U. star Francena McCorory close second to Allyson Felix in 400M at U.S. Track Championships

Allyson Felix won her first U.S. title in the 400, topping former Hampton University's Francena McCorory with a time of 50.40 to 50.49.  Debbie Dunn, Norfolk State University alum finished third for a ticket to the IAAF World Championships Aug. 27-Sept. 4 in Daegu, South Korea.  Dunn posted a time of 50.70.



Allyson Felix extends self, wins U.S. title at 400

Eugene, Ore. -- Allyson Felix powered down the home stretch to capture the women's 400 meters at the U.S. championships Saturday, setting up the possibility she might compete in two events at the world championships this summer.

Felix already has a spot in the 200 as the defending world champion. She has yet to decide whether she will attempt the 200-400 double at the worlds in Daegu, South Korea, in late August.

Going double the distance she normally runs, Felix got stronger as the race went along Saturday and held off Francena McCorory at the finish, winning in 50.40 seconds to become the first woman to win national titles in the 100, 200 and 400 over a career. Debbie Dunn (Norfolk State) was third.

The 200-400 double would not be easy to pull off in South Korea, given all the rounds and the lack of recovery time between them. That's why the decision will be a difficult one for Felix and her coach, Bobby Kersee.

READ MORE

Howard University's David Oliver win 110M hurdles national title

EUGENE, Ore. — Four years ago, David Oliver injured a hamstring before he even stepped on the track for the 110-meter hurdles at the world championships in Osaka, Japan, his first appearance at the event. The injury was not serious, but his disappointment was.

“You just never know when you’ll ever get the opportunity again to represent the U.S.A.,” Oliver said Saturday. “Especially in the hurdles.”

Two years later, a strained calf muscle kept him from competing at the world championships in Berlin. That, he said, marked “a down point of my career.”


Former Howard University Bison football player David Oliver is set for the World Championship in Daegu  with this victory. Former Oklahoma (Bethune-Cookman transfer) Ronnie Ash finished 6th.

Oliver did not care to extend his streak of frustration Saturday at the U.S. track and field championships with another world berth on the line. With a carefully executed, workmanlike performance in the 110 final, Oliver bulled his way to a victory in 13.04 seconds, securing a chance to pursue the world medal that has eluded him at the August championships in Daegu, South Korea.

“It feels good to be done, to be on that team,” Oliver said after beating Aries Merritt, who finished second in 13.12, and Jason Richardson, who was third in 13.15. “I just stayed relaxed, focused on not false-starting and doing anything stupid.”

READ MORE

Under Brooks Johnson’s tutelage former Howard star David Oliver clears every hurdle

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The old man in the straw hat sat in the temporary stands next to the track oval, a few rows up, eyeing a half-dozen world-class hurdlers and runners, including the star of the group, Olympic bronze medalist David Oliver. As the athletes went through the morning’s paces, they peered into the stands after every drill, looking for approval.

By the end of practice, Oliver looked sick with exhaustion. After a final sprint of 300 meters, he staggered toward the hurdles he had used during the workout, intending to remove them from the track. Instead, he dropped to his knees, sucking in air, his back heaving. He stole a quick glance at the old man.

“You got a cramp?” Brooks Johnson, 77, bellowed. “Gee-zus Christ. One 300, and we got everybody crippled.”

Oliver has lived through the daily pain, profane commentary and incisive corrections since he came out of Howard University and landed in Johnson’s camp of professional track athletes seven years ago, kicking off a meteoric rise from small-school afterthought to early favorite for the gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2012 Summer Games in London.


David Oliver's 12.89 seconds 110m hurdles at the Stade de France AREVA meet, on 16 July 2010, clocking the third fastest time ever.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

N. Carolina A&T Names Veney New Track and Field Director

Coach Anthony "Tony" Veney

GREENSBORO, N.C. - North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl Hilton announced the appointment of Tony Veney as the new director of track and field programs, effective July 1. Veney will be responsible for guiding the success of N.C. A&T's six track and field programs, which include men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor track and field and men's and women's outdoor track and field.

"I'm really excited about the prospects and potential we have at North Carolina A&T," said Veney. "I have been doing my homework and research, and the program has an amazing history. I believe with the wealth of talent in the Southeast region, or first and foremost within the state itself, we have a chance to do something special. I feel fortunate to be taking over the reins of a well-established program. It is both a challenge and a blessing."

Veney spent six seasons (2003-09) at UCLA as an assistant coach for sprints and hurdles. Veney established himself as one of the premiere hurdles and sprints coaches in the nation. Fifteen Bruins earned either indoor or outdoor All-American status under Veney. He also coached six Pac-10 Champions and four NCAA West Regional Champions. Veney also served as the recruiting coordinator at UCLA.

Before joining the Aggie Family, Veney's latest coaching position was as the head men's cross country and head men's and women's track and field coach at Ventura Community College. His other collegiate experience includes stints at Portland State (2001-03), the University of Oregon (1998-01) and Cal State Los Angeles (1996-98).

Veney began his coaching career in 1976. He served as Occidental College's head women's track and field and cross country coach until 1979. In 1983, he returned to the college ranks as the assistant track and field and cross country coach at Cal State Northridge. In 11 seasons, Veney coached three NCAA National Champions, 33 NCAA All-Americans and 15 conference champions.

A USATF Level I, II and III Clinician and certified USATF Master of Coaching, Veney has produced two sprint and hurdles training videos, has written two sprint and hurdles training manuals and published a sprint/hurdle book called "Conditioning for Track & Field."

There is also an international component to Veney's background. Veney was the head women's coach for Team USA at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia in 2001. Eleven years earlier, he was the Olympic Festival Sprint Coach. Veney was also the sprints coach at two Pan American Games, the 1991 Junior Pan Am Games in Kingston, Jamaica, and the 1995 Senior Pan Am games in Mar Del Plata, Argentina.

Veney graduated from UCLA in 1976 with a B.A., degree in history. As an athlete for the Bruins, he was a part of two Pac-8 and NCAA Championship teams. He received his Master's Degree in physical education from Azusa Pacific University in 2010.

By North Carolina A&T State University Sports Information
VISIT: NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
VISIT: NCATAGGIES

DSU Hornets To Compete at NCAA Track & Field Championships

DES MOINES, Iowa – For the third straight year, the Delaware State University men's outdoor 4x400 relay team will compete for a national title at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held this Wednesday through Saturday at Drake Stadium on the campus of Drake University.

The Hornet squad of sophomores Tyquan Brown (Neptune, N.J.), Ryan Carter (Wilmington, Del.) and Tariq Devore (Queens, N.Y.) in addition to junior Leslie Murray (Hyattsville, Md.) qualified for competition after posting a fourth-place time of 3:05.64 at the East Regional, held in Bloomington, Ind.

Prior to the regionals, the quartet was ranked seventh nationally with a time of 3:04.49 that was set at the IC4A Championships. Earlier this season, DSU won the MEAC and IC4A titles in the relay.

The relay will compete at 8:20 p.m. Thursday in the 4x400 semifinals. The finals will be held on Saturday at 1:50 p.m.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

B-CU Signee: On bad knee, Pikesville's Smallwood wins 4th pole vault state title

Sasha Smallwood, Bethune-Cookman University
2011 Track and Field Signee, Pikesville High School
(Baltimore County, MD)

Baltimore, MD - Even though Pikesville senior Sasha Smallwood has spent most of her high school career winning pole vault competitions, her victory Thursday night is one she'll never forget. Smallwood won her fourth consecutive Class 1A state title despite vaulting on a torn meniscus in her left knee that will require surgery in the coming days. The senior's vault of 11 feet at Morgan State ended her career in a manner that left Smallwood stunned.

"I am amazingly surprised," Smallwood said as she left to go to her senior prom. "I'm shocked. I'm just grateful that my knee held up for so long."

Smallwood's knee has ruined most of her senior year. She tore her left anterior cruciate ligament in a cheerleading mishap, underwent surgery in October and spent the winter in rehabilitation. The senior, headed to Bethune-Cookman, returned for some of the indoor season.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

VISIT: BETHUNE COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
VISIT: B-CUATHLETICS


Videographer: livestrong351

Robinson dual threat for FAMU

She leads the team in runs batted in. She has the second-highest slugging percentage and she's third in runs scored. And Whitney Robinson pitches as well as she hits for the Florida A&M softball team. That's a luxury the Rattlers haven't enjoyed since All-American Amber Alford made her name as a power hitter who pitched in the early 1990s.

Robinson's all-around play creates high energy every time she pitches or gets a hit, said pitching coach Lori Goodart.

"The team sees her in the circle and they play behind her defensively, then they see her go and give so much more at the plate," Goodart said. "So when she talks, they're going to listen. It's a huge advantage."

FAMU offensive line showing improvements

Whether it was the first or the second team, Florida A&M's personnel on the offensive line didn't change much. The same players worked from left to the right hash mark then back to the left again. Such has been the life of an offensive lineman on the FAMU football team.

Shelley Anthony and Brandon Curry are the only seniors on the unit of nine, including four walk-ons. That makes for a thin line, but coach Joe Taylor took the glass-half-full approach.

"That's a good and bad thing; the veterans can't get hurt and if the freshmen get in it will be some valuable experience," Taylor said. "I think coach (Lawrence) Kershaw has done a good job in working with what he has."

FAMU relay team better with every step on track

They're getting better every time out. At least that's the way it seems for the Florida A&M quartet that makes up the women's 4x400 relay team.

But no matter how good they get, this team of three freshmen and a senior won't be content until they run at least 3:31. That time is the best ever ran by a FAMU 4x400 team and it has become their target since early March at the FAMU Relays where they met the women who set the standard more than two decades ago.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.



VISIT: FAMUEDU
VISIT: FAMUATHLETICS

North Carolina A&T Aggies Produce Great Performances In Florida Relays

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The North Carolina A&T men's and women's track and field teams combined to put together eight top 15 finishes at the Florida Relays at the University of Florida. The meet featured some of the best athletes and schools in the country.

The Florida Relays is one of the most prestigious meets in the country, and has existed for 67 years. The meet featured NCAA outdoor champions and All-Americans. Therefore when the competition both young Aggie teams faced is considered, the Aggies had a decent showing.


Videographer: dcheston88

Once again, the Aggies had a good showing in the relays. The Aggies men's 4x100 meter relay team (Darryl Williams, Jonathan Hancock, Jarrell Elliott and Torrance Womack) finished sixth with a time of 40.10. The men's 4x200 meter relay team (Williams, Hancock, Elliott and Earl House) had an eighth place finish with a time of 1:24.81. There was also a ninth place finish by the women's 4x1 relay team.

In the individual events, Shakia Forbes followed up her win at the Raleigh Relays with a 10th place finish in the women's long jump. Her best jump was 18-feet, 10 inches. Krystin Lawson had an 11th place finish in the women's 100 with a time of 11.75.

The Aggies are back in action on April 15-16 when they host the Friendship & Freedom Games at Irwin Belk Track.


Videographer: uftrack; 2011 Florida Relays Day 1, Florida Gators Track and field

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information
VISIT: ncataggies.com

Hunt on the rise for FAMU track

FAMU Coach Wayne Angel

Florida A&M men's track coach Wayne Angel made a bold statement Thursday afternoon about long jumper Leon Hunt. "I think the sky is the limit for him" Angel said. Specifically, Angel was referring to Hunt becoming the Rattlers' first track and field All-American since 2005, winning a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title and possibly qualifying for next year's Olympics.

That's lofty, but Hunt gave the first-year FAMU coach reason last weekend to be that optimistic. Hunt jumped 25.5 feet last weekend at the Blue Raider Invitational in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The jump landed Hunt in the NCAA's national top 15 rankings at No. 11. It was his career best and now Hunt is aiming to clear another foot, which will put him within range of achieving 26 feet and joining the national elites.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Nansemond River Warrior now sprints for Norfolk State Spartans

James Taylor won seven individual state track crowns and two state titles on Nansemond River relay teams. He made Virginia prep sports history as a Warrior senior becoming the first athlete to win four individual state championships in the same indoor meet.

Two things off the track slowed him down for a year, the SAT and NCAA rules. Taylor missed one year from the Norfolk State track team for being academically ineligible.

“Academically ineligible” sounds bad. It sounds as though it’s something a young person might not rebound from, academically or athletically.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.


Videographer: sixerthree

Thinking Out Loud: Aggie-vation

One of Tuesday's editorials will react to the firing of N.C. A&T Athletics Director Wheeler Brown in the wake of a student's death during an "unofficial" track tryout in August.

A&T didn't require a mandatory physical and sickle cell screening that could have averted the tragedy that claimed the life of sophomore Jospin "Andre" Milandu. Wins and losses are definitely not life-and-death matters.

But there is a lot of grumbling in Aggieland about problems on the field as well. Brown may have been in hot water anyway.

Editorial: Taking account at A&T

This did not have to happen. The N.C. A&T student who died during an “unofficial” tryout for the track team had a potentially life-threatening condition that should have been detected in advance.

Twenty-year-old Jospin “Andre” Milandu collapsed on Aug. 19 during the workout and later died at Moses Cone Hospital. An autopsy revealed that the Knightdale sophomore had suffered from physical exertion and complications from sickle cell trait, a genetic condition that has claimed the lives of other college athletes.

Of all people, A&T athletics officials should have known better. In 2008, an Aggie football player, Chad Wiley, collapsed following a practice and died of complications from heat stroke. He also had carried the sickle cell trait.

Batter up: New Aggies QB has baseball skills

GREENSBORO, N.C. — After a two-month search, N.C. A&T football coach Alonzo Lee has found his quarterback. On the baseball team. George Hines, a redshirt senior and three-year starter in center field for the Aggies, will be A&T's quarterback for the final four games, Lee said Monday.

"He's more than just an athlete who wants it," Lee said. "He's a guy who wants to be a student of the game. The other guys see that, and that leadership made the difference. He's our guy going down the stretch. ... We'll do a little rotation with the wildcat (offense), but he's going to be our main guy."

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE

FAMU track teams improve under Moore

Wayne Angel told a group of reporters Tuesday that the sky is the limit for his track team, then made it clear that the potential that his Florida A&M men's track team is showing isn't because of some magic he worked in the short time that he's been at the helm.

He gave a lot of credit to women's coach Darlene Moore. Up until Angel was hired a little more than a month ago, Moore ran both the men's and women's teams simultaneously.

FAMU losses spur sense of urgency for turnaround »

There was a beam in Martin Ukpai's eyes and his mannerism exuded optimism when he heard about coach Joe Taylor's suspicion that the players on South Carolina State's football team might have had a meeting of the minds before coming to Tallahassee last weekend.

Whether or not Taylor's hunch was right, the Florida A&M quarterback believes there might be something to getting the offensive unit together. He figures it might just help them find the answer for producing points.

FAMU backups work for some playing time »

Linebacker Justin Davis would like to get a scholarship one day as a member of the Florida A&M football team. But for now, he has to prove he's deserving.

Davis, a redshirt freshman out of Florida High, is making a pretty good case as a walk-on. During Saturday's game against South Carolina State, he was on the field not only making plays on special teams, but trying to generate energy among his teammates — just like he has done in every other game.

FAMU looks to snap losing streak »

After watching the film of Saturday's shutout loss to South Carolina State, coach Joe Taylor has decided that he's going back to basics with the Florida A&M football team in hopes of ending its two-game losing streak.

"We're going to play smash-mouth football," Taylor said Sunday. "That's what got me to where I am."

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

UMES Hawks Host Lid-Lifter to Commence 2010 Season

PRINCESS ANNE, MD - The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's and women's cross country teams kick off their 2010 campaign 10:30 a.m. this Saturday at the UMES Cross Country Course/Golf Driving Range with the Lid-Lifter Invitational.

Returning on the men's side is senior Peter Sang (Kapsabet, Kenya), who finished fifth overall in last year's MEAC Championships with a time of 26:16.39. Two other male MEAC 2009 medal-winners return for the Hawks in senior Amon Kiprotich (Kapsabet, Kenya) and junior Shadrack Maritim (Kericho, Kenya).

Kiprotich ran a 26:28.61 in the championships, which was good for sixth place, while Maritim took a 10th place finishing time of 27:07.86. The Lady Hawks will be led this season by senior Eunice Jones (Lanham, Md.), who finished fifth overall in the 2009 MEAC Championships with a time of 18:51.24.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

NC A&T: No Trainer On Track Field During Student's Deadly Collapse

Greensboro, NC -- North Carolina A&T State University's athletic director said no trainer was present during track tryouts where a student collapsed and later died. Wheeler Brown said 20-year-old Jospin Milandu was a sophomore walk-on trying out for track. He could not confirm why no trainer was present, but said school policy requires a trainer attend tryouts and other events.

Brown also said he did not know whether Milandu had taken a required physical test before trying out. He said university investigators are examining whether school policies were violated.

NC A&T student dies during track team tryout

GREENSBORO—Officials at A&T University are investigating death of a student at track tryouts on Thursday. Jospin “Andre” Milandu, 20, of Knightdale, N.C. collapsed after running and later died. His death has left classmates in shock. Athletic Director Wheeler Brown said Milandu was a sophomore walk-on, who had unsuccessfully tried out for the team last year.

"Apparently he had stopped by the coach's office, earlier in the week, and, to tell the coach that he had been working out all summer and that this was the year that he was going to make the team," said Brown.

Knightdale man dies after college track tryout

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A North Carolina A&T State University student from Knightdale died Thursday from complications of an elevated heart rate during a track team tryout, the school said. Officials said at a news conference Friday afternoon that Jospin "Andre" Milandu, 20, a sophomore, collapsed during a workout during which no athletic trainer was present – a violation of university policy.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLES.

DSU's Murray Wins Bronze at World Junior Championships

DOVER, DE- Delaware State University track & field standout Leslie Murray has earned world recognition this summer. The All-American Murray, running for his native U.S. Virgin Islands, claimed the bronze medal with his third place finish in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2010 IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada last weekend, the first medal for his country in the history of the event.

Murray posted a time of 50.22 seconds in the race, trailing only gold medal winner Jehue Gordon of Trinidad & Tobago (49.30) and runner-up Takatoshi Abe of Japan (49.46). Murray, who is entering his junior year at Delaware State, helped lead the Hornets to the 2010 MEAC indoor championship in the 1600-meter relay this past season.




READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Hampton's McCorory takes third NCAA title in 400 meters

Hampton University's American and Collegiate Indoor record holder Francena McCorory, won her third NCAA National Championship title in the 400 meters on Friday. The senior All-American is from Bethel High School, Hampton, Virginia.

(photo by Mark Sutton)

EUGENE, Oregon – Hampton University senior Francena McCorory made her final collegiate track meet unforgettable, winning her third NCAA championship by outracing her competitors in the 400-meter dash late Friday night at famed Hayward Field.

McCorory ran a season-best time of 50.69 seconds to take her third title in the event – her first in the outdoor season. The Bethel High graduate also won the indoor 400 in 2009 with a 51.54, before repeating that title in March 2010, setting the American record with a 50.54. McCorory's title is also the fifth NCAA Division I crown in HU history; former Lady Pirate Yvette Lewis, who attended Denbigh High and then Menchville, won a pair of NCAA triple-jump titles, taking the indoor crown in 2006 and the outdoor title in 2007.

The Pirates sophomore sprinter Reggie Dixon ran a 10.39 in the 100-meter dash final to finish seventh. Jeff Demps of Florida won in 9.96. Dixon, from Plainfield, N.J., ran the seventh-fastest preliminary time in the 100-meter dash, turning in a 10.24 to advance to the final. The Hampton men's team finished the meet tied for 60th and the women's team was tied for 26th place with Georgia and Hawaii-Manoa.



Francena McCorory of Hampton Breaks the American and Collegiate Indoor Record with an amazing run of 50.54 at the 2010 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships earlier this year.

NCAA: Hampton University relay team finishes 10th

Hampton University’s 4x100-meter relay team came up a couple spots shy of getting the opportunity to race for a national championship Wednesday evening in the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon. With junior Predist Walker (Lakeland H.S.) as the first leg on the Pirate relay, HU finished 10th in a time of 39.85 seconds. The top eight teams reached the final heat.

The relay team of Walker, Reggie Dixon, Aaron Anderson and Devon Brown is all underclassmen. During the outdoor season, the team set new 4x100 records for Hampton and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Pirates’ best time this season was 39.55 seconds.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.