2014 MEAC Women's Outdoor Track and Field Champions

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -- The Hampton University Women’s Track and Field team won the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Track and Field Championship at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University. 

Hampton tallied 154.5 points to win their third straight, 11^th overall MEAC Women’s Outdoor title. Florida A&M finished in second place with 115 points, while Norfolk State finished third with 79 points.

Norfolk State’s Kiara Howell tallied 22 points to earn the Outstanding Field Athlete award, while Hampton’s Ce’aira Brown posted 22.5 points and was named the Outstanding Runner.

Howell placed second in the discus, javelin and third in the shot put to pick up 22 points. Brown won the 800m and 1,500m and was a member of the 4x400 relay team.

Hampton’s Maurice Pierce was selected the Women’s Track and Field Outstanding Coach for the ninth time in his career.

“We started off slow and made some mistakes on Thursday and Friday,” Pierce said. “I know the type of team we have and the talent level we have. We are a championship team and at the end of the day, we’ll show up and represent as true champions and get it done. It was a total team effort.”

Bethune-Cookman’s Tristie Johnson set a new MEAC record in the 100m dash, with a time of 11.29. Johnson broke the 2010 mark set by Hampton’s Patrice Richards (11.40).

Hampton swept the relays, winning the 4x100 and 4x400. In the 4x100, Hampton finished with a time of 45.26, while Florida A&M placed second (45.59).

2014 MEAC WOMEN'S TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS

 

Women’s Team Results

1. Hampton                              154.5 points

2. Florida A&M                       115 points

3. Norfolk State                         79 points     

4. Morgan State                         74 points
5. Bethune-Cookman                70 points
6. North Carolina Central         54 points
7. North Carolina A&T             51 points
8. Coppin State                         50 points
9. Maryland Eastern Shore       37 points
10. South Carolina State          16 points
11. Savannah State                  14 points
12. Delaware State                   13 points
13. Howard                              10.5 points

Women:

All-MEAC First Team

Deandra Daniel, Coppin State (HJ); Sasha Ann Lebert, Florida A&M (DT); Ishkeema Swain, Morgan State (5000m), Shawanna Steplight, Florida A&M (Heptathlon); Nakia Linson, Florida A&M (LJ); Ranita Mealer, Morgan State (SP); Tiara Davis, Norfolk State (PV); Ranita Mealer, Morgan State (JT); Teiara Denmark, Hampton (4x100); Breana Norman, Hampton (4x100, 110mH); Tanisha Greene, Hampton (4x100); Le’Quisha Parker, Hampton (4x100, 4x400); Ce’aira Brown (1500m, 800m, 4x400); Malekah Holland, Hampton (400m, 4x400); Gayon Evans, Maryland Eastern Shore (200m); Tristie Johnson, Florida A&M (100m); Christian Epps, Coppin State (TJ); Jenea McCammon, Morgan State (400mH); Fiona Masai, Norfolk State (3000 SC); Emmy Fraenk, Hampton (4x400)

All-MEAC Second Team

Nakita Gray, North Carolina A&T (HJ); Kiara Howell, Norfolk State (DT); Nayjock Pan, Bethune-Cookman (5000m); Ashley Bacote, Coppin State (Heptathlon); Champagne Bell, Norfolk State (LJ); Desiree Richardson, Bethune-Cookman (SP); Alysia Potts, Savannah State (PV); Kiara Howell, Norfolk State (JT); Shawanna Steplight, Florida A&M (4x100); Nakia Linson, Florida A&M (4x100, 100m, 200m); Jasmine Smith, Florida A&M (4x100); Christina Moodie, Florida A&M (4x100); Anthonia Ballard, N.C. Central (100mH); Cydney Robinson, Hampton (1500m, 800m); Le’Quisha Parker, Hampton (400m); Teiara Denmark, Hampton (TJ); Jasmine Wanamaker, N.C. Central (400mH); Devyn Thompson, Hampton (3000m SC); Tere Cooley, Morgan State (4x400), Teyanna Green, Morgan State (4x400); Jenea McCammon, Morgan State (4x400), Ekundayo Green, Morgan State (4x400).

 

All-MEAC Third Team

Deidra Jordan, Bethune-Cookman (HJ); Shawnata Young, Maryland Eastern Shore (DT); Effiey Kosgei, Florida A&M (5000m); Deidra Jordan, Bethune-Cookman (Heptathlon); Teiara Denmark, Hampton (LJ); Kiara Howell, Norfolk State (SP); Jasmine Smith, Florida A&M (PV); Jaymee Smith, Florida A&M (JT); Breonca Reid, Bethune-Cookman (4x100); Shaleneya Bryant, Bethune-Cookman (4x100); Keyona Thomas, Bethune-Cookman (4x100); Tristie Johnson, Bethune-Cookman (4x100); Jasmine Wanamaker, N.C. Central (100mH); Amber Brooks, N.C. Central (1500m); Michelle Cole, Howard (400m); Gayon Evans, Maryland Eastern Shore (100m); Tere Cooley, Morgan State (800m); Jennifer Mitchell, Coppin State (TJ); Delesha Conquest, N.C. Central (400mH); Le’Quisha Parker, (200m); Nichelle Harris, Hampton (3000 SC); Roshel Bygraves, North Carolina A&T (4x400); Daniqua Dye, North Carolina A&T (4x400); Imani Harris-Quillen, North Carolina A&T (4x400); Jessica Farr, North Carolina A&T (4x400).

 

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TSU Concludes Record-Breaking OVC Outdoor Championship

EDWARDSVILLE, Illinois  --  The Tennessee State track and field teams wrapped up the action at the 2014 OVC Outdoor Championship, each finishing in fourth place.

Reigning Freshman of the Year Amber Hughes won the 100-meter hurdles, besting her prelim time of 13.52 seconds with a 13.46 showing in the finals.
 

Hughes later placed second in the women’s 200-meter dash following a sprint of 24.19 seconds, while fellow Tigerbelle Ashontae Jackson also picked up a silver medal in the 400 (54.83).
 

Sophomore Clairwin Dameus continued TSU’s impressive outing by placing first in the 400-meter hurdles (1:00.74), long jump (6.22 meters) and heptathlon (5,399 points).
 

In the final women’s events of the day, Dameus, Hughes and Jackson teamed with Quanisha Sales to take home the 4x400 (3:39.99) and 4x100 (45.05) titles while also breaking the old Ohio Valley Conference records.
 

Jerome Henderson started the Flying Tigers’ second day of the championship by winning the 100-meter dash after a run of 10.42 seconds and Micahel Johnson extended the solid opening by placing fourth in the 400-meter (47.79).
 

In the 800-meter, Quamel Prince shaved nearly two seconds off of his preliminary time the day before to come in third in the finals (1:50.90).
 

Jahleel Michael picked up a second-place finish in the 400-meter hurdles (52.48), while Daryl Rice placed fourth in the high jump (2.05 meters).
 

Johnson, Michael and Prince ended the day by teaming with Emmanuel Thornton to secure a second-place finish in the 4x400 relay after a final time of 3:14.04.
 

SEMO took home both women and men's titles.

 

Final Results

 

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B-CU Makes Program History with First-Ever MEAC Title; Women 5th

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GREENSBORO, North Carolina  -- The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats made program history on the final day of competition at the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday afternoon at North Carolina A&T’s Irwin Belk Track, as the men’s program earned the first MEAC Championship in program history, while the women finished fifth.

B-CU Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Donald Cooper was selected the MEAC Men’s Track and Field Outstanding Coach for the first time.

“It was a hard fought battle and a lot of great competition from all teams,” Cooper said. “This has been one of the best MEAC (Championships) that I have been at, and our team persevered.”

Opening the final day with a 25-point advantage on the men’s side, the Wildcats kept the momentum rolling in a complete team outing on Saturday, wrapping up the competition with 132 points and a 31-point victory over second place, North Carolina A&T.

“This is an amazing moment for the ‘Wildcat Nation’,” Cooper continued. “Hats  off to all the other MEAC teams for their competiveness. I’ve got to give it to the student-athletes and my coaching staff, they all performed brilliantly. I could not have asked for a greater group to coach or a greater staff to work with. I want to thank the administration for allowing me the opportunity to bring a men's track & field championship to B-CU.”

“I just want to thank God for my path and purpose,” Cooper added. “Hail Wildcats! We are MEAC Champions!”

Turning in the top performance in the men’s field events for the Wildcats was senior La’Quan Howard, who hit a career-best distance of 15.25m (50-00.50 ft.) to earn second in the triple jump. The Wildcats racked up 18 team points in the event, as freshman Kenneth Fisher was fourth at 15.15m (49-08.50 ft.), freshman Michael Tiller was sixth at an outdoor-best 14.83m (48-08.00 ft.) and junior Jimel Wright was seventh at 14.44m (47-04.50 ft.).

On the track, junior Tremayne Banks finished second in the 110m hurdles after clipping a hurdle in the finals, still finishing in 14.07 seconds. Banks also finished fourth in the 100m with a time of 10.89 seconds and logged a fifth-place finish in the 200m dash with a time of 21.05.

Teammate Angelo Cabrera persevered against injury, taking the track for the 100m and 200 finals, finishing each race to earn the Wildcats points, despite hindered times of 18.43 (100m) and 39.07 (200m).

Sophomore sprinter Tristie Johnson was the big scorer for the women on the day, earning the ladies’ lone individual title with a first-place finish in the 100m dash, recording a MEAC-Record time of 11.29 seconds. Johnson ran a season-best 23.37 in the 200m to finish in fourth.

“Tristie Johnson was out of her mind,” Cooper noted of his young phenom. “11.29 in the 100m and a new school and MEAC record, it’s simply amazing.”

An additional scoring resource for the Wildcats, three logged points in the men’s pole vault, led by senior Curtis Riggins, who finished fifth with a height of 4.12m (13-06.25 ft.), while classmate Akeem Barthol was sixth at 4.07m (13-04.25 ft.) and junior Pierre Strother was eighth at 4.02m (13-02.25 ft.). On the women’s side, junior Shantell Townsend finished fourth at 2.79m (9-01.75 ft.).

Junior Ricy Brown and sophomore Daniel Ketter went fifth and sixth, respectively, in the 1,500m run, recording times of 4:03.72 and 4:06.03. Ketter also chipped in with a sixth-place performance in the 3,000m steeplechase, recording a career-best time of 10:12.42.

The Wildcats logged scores in both the women’s and men’s 4x100m relays, with the women’s squad of Keyona Thomas, Shalaneya Bryant, Breonca Reid and Johnson coming in third with a time of 45.81. The men’s squad of Eddie Scott, Banks, Cabrera and Marquis Drayton were seventh in 41.64.

While the men earned the team title with 132 points, North Carolina A&T followed in second place with 101 points and Hampton finished third with 89 points. The women logged 70 points to finish fifth, just four points behind Morgan State. Hampton earned the women’s title with 154.5 points.

Two Wildcats, Nnamdi Davis and Kenneth Fisher, earned Men’s All-MEAC first team honors. Ed’Ricus Williams, Keron Stoute, Nicholas Williams, La’Quan Howard and Tremayne Banks earned All-MEAC second team honors. Michael Tiller earned a spot on the All-MEAC third team.

For the women, Tristie Johnson earned All-MEAC first team honors. Nyajock Pan and Desiree Richardson were members of the All-MEAC second team. Deidra Jordana, Breonca Reid, Shalaneya Bryant and Keyona Thomas were on the All-MEAC third team.

“The women's team performed beyond what others expected and are only getting better,” Cooper noted.

The MEAC Championships concludes the 2013-14 regular season for the bulk of the Bethune-Cookman track team, but many will be taking to the track on May 16-17 in Atlanta, attempting to earn qualifying marks for the postseason at the Georgia Tech Invitational.

With 13 Wildcats ranking among the top 48 in the East Regional in the current standings, there will likely be several B-CU entries in the upcoming NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships East Preliminary, running May 28-31 in Jacksonville, Fla.

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, including meet results and recaps, visit B-CUathletics.com. Be sure to follow the official Twitter feeds at @CookmanTrack and @BCUathletics or "Like Us" on Facebook at BCUAthletics.

Complete Results

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Hampton Lady Pirates Win MEAC Outdoor Title Yet Again

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  For the third straight year, the Hampton University women's track & field team won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Championships, taking the crown this past weekend at North Carolina A&T's Irwin Belk Track.

The Lady Pirates have won the MEAC outdoor title in 11 of the last 13 years.

The Pirates, meanwhile, finished third in the men's standings with 89 points. Bethune-Cookman won the men's title with 132 points.

The Lady Pirates tallied 154.5 points.

"We started off slow and made some mistakes on Thursday and Friday," Director of Track & Field Maurice Pierce said. "I know the type of team we have and the talent level we have. We are a championship team and at the end of the day, we'll show up and represent as true champions and get it done. It was a total team effort."

Sophomore Ce'aira Brown (Philadelphia, Pa.) was named the meet's female Most Outstanding Runner after having a hand in winning three events. She took the 800-meter run with a time of 2:09.14, and she ran a 4:34.68 to win the 1,500-meter run.

Brown was also on the 4x400-meter relay team – along with senior Malekah Holland (Brooklyn, N.Y.), senior Emmy Fraenk (Hampton, Va.), and junior Le'Quisha Parker (Silver Spring, Md.) – that won gold with a 3:38.25.

Holland also won the MEAC title in the 400-meter dash with a season-best 53.23.

Parker also anchored the 4x100-meter relay team – along with senior Teiara Denmark (Virginia Beach, Va.), senior Breana Norman (Virginia Beach, Va.), and sophomore Tanisha Greene (Virginia Beach, Va.) – that won gold with a 45.26.

Norman ran a 13.60 in the 100-meter hurdles to take the MEAC title.

Denmark jumped a season-best 12.47 meters (40 feet, 11 inches) to finish second in the triple jump, and Parker was second in the 400-meter dash with a 54.12. Senior Cydney Robinson (Portsmouth, Va.) was second in both the 800-meter run (2:10.98) and 1,500-meter run (4:35.87).

On the men's side, junior Chidi Okezie (Philadelphia, Pa.) was named the Most Outstanding Runner, winning a pair of events. He won the 200-meter dash with a season-best 20.73, before running a 46.61 to take the 400-meter dash.

Junior Edose Ibadin (Glendale, Md.) won the 800-meter run with a 1:50.14.

Junior Sulaiman Fareed (Richmond, Va.) came in second in the shot put with a school-record mark of 16.60 meters (54 feet, 5.5 inches), and senior Stefano Nardini (Milan, Italy) threw the javelin 63.83 meters (209 feet, five inches) to finish second.

Senior Je'Von Hutchison (Boynton, Fla.) ran a 46.74 to finish second in the 400-meter dash.

Graduate student Paris Reddick-Simmons (Alexandria, Va.) ran a season-best 3:59.82 in the 1,500-meter run to finish second.

The top three finishers in each race earned All-MEAC honors.

For more information on Hampton University track & field, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Results

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Resilient Alabama State Hornets Baseball Beat 4th-Ranked Miami

CORAL GABLES, Florida -- The Alabama State baseball team beat 4^th-ranked Miami 6-5 Saturday night at Alex Rodriguez Park.

The Hornets (34-18) registered the biggest win in the program's history, beating the highest-ranked opponent ASU baseball has faced.

"Every win is a building block to where we want to be," head coach Mervyl Melendez said. "We have to continue to work hard and continue to get better."

Einar Muniz went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, Waldyvan Estrada went 2-for-4 with two RBI, and Richard Amion drove in two runs for Alabama State.

Every time Miami (33-14) scored, the Hornets scored in the very next inning, displaying the gritty resilience they have all season.

NEXT GAME: SUNDAY, MAY 4, 1:00 pm;  WATCH FREE ONLINE at Hurricanesports.com 

Alabama State scored three runs in the second inning with two outs. Branden Castro singled up the middle, and Raul Perez dropped a single just inside the right field line, advancing Castro to third. Muniz then singled to right field, scoring Castro. Amion then drilled a two-run double down the left field line to give the Hornets a 3-0 lead.

After the Hurricanes tied the score with three runs in the sixth, Alabama State answered with two in the seventh. With one out, Muniz walked and Amion reached on an error. After the second out, Estrada hit an infield single to shortstop, scoring Muniz and Amion for a 5-3 lead.

Miami tied the score in the seventh at 5-5 before the Hornets answered once again. Marrero doubled to lead off the inning. With one out, Castro reached on an error, allowing Marrero to score for the final margin.

In the bottom of ninth, Normando Valentin (4-0) retired the first two batters before hitting Tyler Palmer with a pitch. On a 2-2 pitch, Zack Collins hit a grounder to the right side. Einar Muniz moved to his left on the outfield grass to field it, spun and threw to Dexter Price for the final out.

Joseph Camacho pitched 6 1/3 innings and was charged with all five Hurricane runs as he held Miami scoreless until the sixth inning. Valentin worked the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing one hit, no runs, walking none and striking out three.

"I'm very proud of Joe and Normando," Melendez said. "They did a great job. Our offense was very effective today, and we capitalized when we had runners in scoring position."

The final game of the series is Sunday at noon central time, with live internet radio on bamastatesports.com/showcase.

Box Score

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Microsoft Chairman John W. Thompson gives Florida A&M Commencement speech

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- Three people who have risen to some of the most notable positions in sports, media and business were in town Saturday to send a group of Florida A&M and Florida State graduates off to another phase of their professional lives.

Microsoft Chairman John W. Thompson and Mikki Taylor, an editor-at-large for Essence Magazine, spoke to the two FAMU ceremonies Saturday, while legendary FSU football coach Bobby Bowden gave his speech to FSU’s morning graduates.

Thompson, 64, used his own life’s story to drive home his keys to a successful and happy career, keys that led him from a Tallahassee stereo store to the head of one of the largest and most successful companies in the world.



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UAPB wins SWAC West with sweep of Texas Southern

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HOUSTON, Texas  (May 3)  -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Baseball Team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference Western Division Title with a pair of wins over Texas Southern, here Saturday afternoon at MacGregor Park.

Since rejoining the SWAC in 1998 this is the first time in school history, that UAPB has won the conference western division.

UAPB in the first contest belt  a game high 15 hits with Vladimir Gomez going four-for-five from the plate and scoring one run to lead the Golden Lions, while TSU tallied 12 hits with both Andre Garza and Jerry Ford garnering three hits apiece to lead the Tigers.

Redmond Floyd (2-0) picked up the win for UAPB  as  he pitched three and one-third innings in relief, allowing four hits and striking out three, while Jim Ploeger the Golden Lion starter pitched five and one-third innings, allowing eight hits, seven earned runs and striking out seven.

Felix Gomez (1-4) received the loss for TSU as he pitched two and two-third innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs and striking out two, while Darius McClelland the Tigers' starter pitched two and one-third innings, yielding five hits, five earned runs and striking out two.

UAPB broke the 5-5 tie in the top of the fourth with a Jose Hernandez single to left field scoring Mie Wieland, giving the Golden Lions a 6-5 lead.

TSU went ahead 7-6 with a Robert Garza single scoring Ford, followed by an Andrew Garza single scoring Zach Welz in the bottom of the sixth inning.

UAPB regained the lead in the top of the seventh as they scored three runs in the inning to take a 9-7 lead.  The Golden Lions added three more runs in the top of the ninth for the 12-7 win.

In game two, UAPB pounded out 11 hit with Kirby Campbell going three-for-four from the plate to lead the Golden Lions, while TSU collected five hits with Welz garnering two hits to lead the Tigers.

Mikey Ramirez (6-4) received the win for UAPB as he pitched nine scoreless innings, allowing five hits, and striking one, while Michael Starkey (4-5) received the loss for TSU as he pitched three innings, allowing six hits, four earned runs and striking out two.

UAPB won the contest 7-1 as the Golden Lions plated one run in the second inning, three in the third and three in the eighth inning.
TSU plated their only run in the bottom of the ninth inning for the 7-1 finale.

With the win, UAPB raises their record to 22-25 and 16-6 in conference play, earning the No. 1 seed in the western division, whereas TSU lowers their record to 21-27 and 12-9 in conference play.

UAPB will close out their 2014 season against Texas Southern in their final game of the season on Sunday, May 4 at McGregor Park in a 1 p.m. start.

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FAMU Ties School Record With 12th MEAC Win



Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information


TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  On the day the rest of the FAMU campus was celebrating graduation, sixth-year senior, David Duncan pitched a complete game shutout in the game two win of Saturday’s doubleheader. Florida A&M (20-24, 12-10 MEAC) split the two games with North Carolina A&T (16-31, 9-14 MEAC) 3-7 and 1-0 as game one went twelve innings at Moore-Kittles Field. The 12 MEAC wins ties the school record (2003) for the most MEAC wins in the regular season.

The shutout in game two was the second of the season for FAMU.

Duncan (4-4) pitched seven strong scoreless innings in the game two win with seven strikeouts and no walks, while the Aggies scattered five hits.

William Carrasco (3-5) took the loss in game one after allowing four runs, one earned, with two walks and two strikeouts. Carrasco had a season-long relief outing with five innings of work. Game one starter for the Rattlers Chase Jarrell worked 5 1/3 innings, allowing three runs with three strikeouts in the no decision.

Bennie Robinson went 3-for-5 with one RBI in game one to lead the FAMU offense.

The Rattlers scored first in game one with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Hutson reached on a fielder’s choice and Logan Seymour was hit-by-pitch to put runners on first and second with two outs. Jared Walker, who hadn’t had an at bat in 13 games due to a hand injury, roped a two-run double to left and Robinson followed with an RBI single to account for the early FAMU 3-0 lead.

A&T tied the game with three runs of their own in the top of the sixth inning. The Aggies recorded four straight hits to start the sixth inning, including an RBI single from Cameron Jergens and an RBI double from Brandon Wilkerson to cut the FAMU lead to 3-2. With runners on the corners and one out, FAMU starter Jarrell hit Stefan Jordan with a pitch to load the bases. Brandon Fleming would then come in to relieve Jarrell with one out. Wilkerson scored the tying run as Ryan Hill beat out the throw to first, on a would-be double play. Fleming would then strike out Brandon Mitchell to end the inning.

FAMU worked the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth but failed to plate a run, as the score remained 3-3. Jeremy Barlow singled and advanced to second as the throw to second wasn’t in time on a sac bunt attempt. Hutson followed with another sac bunt attempt to move Barlow to third, but an errant throw to third allowed Barlow to reach safely and load the bases. After Seymour lined out to third, Walker grounded into the rare 6-2-5 double play to end the Rattler scoring threat.

North Carolian A&T also loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but was unable to score.

Florida A&M squandered another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the seventh with the bases loaded again. Robinson was walked on four pitches to start the FAMU seventh and Gibbs laid down an attempted sac bunt, but another throwing error allowed the runners to advance to second and third. Michael Birdsong was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out to set up the double play. Barlow then did exactly what A&T had hoped for as he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

The Aggies grabbed the lead for good, at 7-3, with four runs, only one earned, on three hits and a Rattler error in the 12^th inning. With the bases loaded and what would have been a sac fly to right for Lester Salcedo, turned into an error by right fielder Seymour that allowed McMillan and Tendler to score what proved to be the game winning runs.
In game two, FAMU and A&T took a scoreless game into the sixth inning but the Rattlers scored all they needed with one run in the bottom of the inning. Hutson and Weeks drew consecutive walks to put runners on first and second with one out. Hutson tagged up to go to third as Ferdinand Rondon flew out to right. Peter Jackson’s, two-out, game winning RBI single just past the glove of Aggie second baseman Kyle Clary was enough to score Hutson for the only run of the game and the final score of 1-0.

A&T reliever Luke McCreesh (2-0) earned the win in game one while Aggie starter Tyler Boone (2-7) suffered the loss in game two.

In the game two loss for the Aggies, starter Tyler Boone allowed one run, but walked six batters in six innings of work.

The Rattlers and Aggies close out their MEAC regular season conference schedule on Sunday at 1:00 pm at Moore-Kittles Field.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @FAMUAthletics and live stats will be available via www.FAMUAthletics.com

    Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

By Michael Morrell/Special to FAMU Athletics
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Bowie State Anton Goff Resigns as Athletic Director (VIDEO)

BOWIE, Maryland -- Bowie State University athletic director Anton Goff announced he is leaving to accept the same position with the University of Hartford and will begin his new post in July.

"I thank the Bulldog Nation and the entire Bowie State University community for the support that not only I received, but the athletic department received in general from day one," said Goff. "The experience I had at Bowie State was incredible, we've done a lot of things together and I truly believe the program is heading in the right direction. I believe the next AD has a great base to start with."




Goff had been the athletic director at Bowie State since 2010. Under his leadership, Bowie State athletic programs have increased student athletes' academic success rate (raised the student-athlete graduation rate to above that of the overall student population), enhanced the existing facilities (including new football stadium lights, locker rooms and concessions, and a new HVAC system in the gymnasium), exceeded fundraising targets through both private donations and governmental lobbying, and captured Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championship titles in Men's Basketball (2013) and Women's Bowling (2013).

"Anton Goff has done a tremendous job as our university's athletic director and his departure will be a great loss," said Bowie State University President Mickey L. Burnim. "We share in his excitement about the new opportunity and wish him well."

Goff, who has been in the athletic administration field for nearly 20 years, will succeed University of Hartford Director of Athletics Pat Meiser, who is retiring after 21 years at the University.

Prior to his Bowie State appointment, Goff served as the associate athletic director and the sport supervisor for six varsity sports at the University of Maryland, College Park. In that role, he has managed multi-million dollar budgets as well as overseeing the support services provided to 27
varsity sports. He has been involved with fundraising, facility management, support services, coach/staff supervision, and media relations.

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New Hampton Pirates football coach Maynor a man of faith and confidence

HAMPTON, Virginia  -- Bill Hayes knew what he was getting when he chose Connell Maynor to shepherd Winston-Salem State University's troubled, transition football program.

Hayes recruited Maynor as a teenager, coaching him first at WSSU and then at North Carolina A&T. He knew the young man's ability and followed his playing and coaching career. He believed that Maynor possessed qualities capable of not just leading a team, but influencing an entire athletic department.



When Hayes accompanied his new head coach to the CIAA's preseason football gathering in the summer of 2010, however, he was reminded of the wild-card quality snugly nestled within his former quarterback.

"He stands up and says he's going to go 11-and-0," Hayes said. "I like to fell out of my damn chair. I'm thinking: I took a chance on this boy; nobody really expects the world right now; all he's got to do is get in there and start turning things in the right direction and we'll build this thing gradually. But he stands up and says he's going to go 11-0 — he might have said he'd go 15-0. And I said, 'Oh (spit).'

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MEAC Completes Day Two of Track and Field Championship

Courtesy: Florida A&M Sports Information
@Kevin Dorsey
Nakia Linson captured the long jump at the MEAC Championship

 

GREENSBORO, North Carolina -- The Florida A&M women and the Bethune-Cookman men sit at the top of the results board heading into the final day of competition in the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.

On the women’s side, the Lady Ratters totaled 48 points after day two’s action. Bethune-Cookman finished second with 44 points followed by Norfolk State in third with 32 points.

Florida A&M’s Shawanna Steplight earned the gold in the women’s heptathlon with 4,693 points, while Coppin State’s Ashley Bacote (4,590) and Deidra Jordan of Bethune-Cookman (4,571) finished second and third, respectively.

In the field events, Morgan State’s Ranita Mealer repeated as the shot put winner with a throw of 14.30m (46-11.00 ft.) and Florida A&M’s Nakia Linson secured the top spot in the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.02m (19-09.00 ft.).

In men’s action, the Wildcats advance to day three with 70 total points. Maryland Eastern Shore currently sits at second with 41 points followed by Hampton with 21 points.

Bethune-Cookman’s Nnamdi Davis earned first-place honors in the decathlon with 6,423 total points. Teammate Keron Stoute captured second with 6,318 points and Hampton’s Emmanuel Price finished third with 6,183 points.

Kenneth Fisher of Bethune-Cookman clinched the gold in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.78m (25-06.25 ft.). B-CU teammate Nicholas Williams placed second (7.66m) followed by Shane Green of Coppin State, with a jump of 7.27m.

Dillon Simon of Maryland Eastern Shore repeated as the shot put champion, setting a new MEAC record with a throw of 18.64m (61-02.00 ft.). Simon replaces the 2007 record of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Kimani Kirton’s mark of 18.08m.

The competition concludes Saturday, with events starting at 9 a.m. with field events including: men's and women's pole vault, javelin, and triple jump. The women's and men's 4x100m relays will begin the running finals at 1 p.m. Rounding out the evening's events will be the men's and women's 4x400m relay race at 4:20 p.m.

For more information on MEAC Outdoor Track and Field, log on to www.MEACsports.com.

 

Women's Results- 6 Scored Events

1.     Florida A&M                              48
2.     Bethune-Cookman                 44
3.     Norfolk State                            32
4.     Coppin State                             27
5.     Morgan State                            20
6.     Hampton                                    18.5
7.     North Carolina A&T                18
8.     South Carolina State              9

9.     Maryland Eastern Shore       8

10.   Delaware State                        4

        N.C. Central                               4

12.   Howard                                       1.5 

Men's Results- 6 Scored Events
1.     Bethune-Cookman                 70
2.     Maryland Eastern Shore       41
3.     Hampton                                    21
        Howard                                        21
5.     South Carolina State              20
6.     Morgan State                            19
        Florida A&M                               19
8.     North Carolina A&T                13

9.     Coppin State                             6

10.   N.C. Central                               1

** Norfolk State men ineligible for postseason  

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Qua Cox to Appear on Boxtorow

QUA COX
Courtesy Jackson State University Athletics 

JACKSON, Mississippi  --  As the NFL Draft approaches Jackson State's two-time BOXTOROW All-American cornerback Qua Cox will appears as a guest on the national sports talk show FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW w/ Donal Ware.

BOXTOROW airs on radio stations around the country including Friday at 5p CT on WJSU-FM 88.5.  Terrestrial radio stations that carry the show can be found here www.boxtorow.com/affiliates.php

The show can also be heard on Satellite Radio, Saturdays 11a CT/12p ET on SiriusXM Channel 142.

Each year BOXTOROW talks with the top players in HBCU football prior to the draft.  Over the years, that list includes current NFL players Antoine Bethea, Jason Hatcher, Tarvaris Jackson, Jacoby Jones, Chris Baker, William Hayes, Kendall Langford, Justin Durant to name a few.

Last week, BOXTOROW caught up with Alabama State running back Isaiah Crowell in an exclusive interview.

BOX TO ROW airs in top markets including Washington, DC, U.S. Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico, Pittsburgh, Austin, TX, Hampton Roads, VA area, Nashville, Raleigh, NC, New Orleans, and Greensboro, NC to name a few.

Over the years guests such as Jerry Rice, Tony Dungy, Jim Brown, Serena Williams, Ice Cube, Common, Kevin Hart, Michael Vick, Mike Krzyzewski, Gladys Knight, Matt Kemp, Kevin Durant, Joss Stone, and Snoop Lion are a few of the guests that have appeared on FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW.

FROM THE PRESS BOX TO PRESS ROW has been on the air since August 20, 2005. 

COURTESY JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS         

B-CU Football to Host Instructional Skills Camps

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH BRIAN JENKINS
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
COURTESY: B-CU ATHLETICS

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida -- Bethune-Cookman University’s football program will hold two instructional summer camps in the coming weeks. The instructional skills camps will take place on June 21 and July 19. Times for both are noon until 5 p.m.

Under the direction of head coach Brian Jenkins, recently completing his fifth year at the helm of the Wildcats program, the Bethune-Cookman football staff will host two instructional skills camps intended to teach, in detail, multiple phases of the game. With an emphasis on keeping the game fun, the Wildcats coaching staff will help instruct each camper the importance of making good grades in the classroom, teamwork, self-discipline, proper playing techniques and the fundamental essentials to excel on and off the playing field.

The price for the camp is just $25, with registration taking place at the Larry R. Handfield Athletic Training Center on both days of the camps. Eligible campers are ages 13 through 18, or eighth grade through 12th. Each camper is asked to bring the following items: cleats, tennis shoes, practice shorts/shorts, socks and a helmet. Medical and training staffs will be on site in case of emergency.

Instructional Skills Camp Flyer

Instructional Skills Camp I

Date: June 21 (Noon – 5 p.m.)
Ages: 13-18 (Grades 8-12)
Cost: $25

Instructional Skills Camp II
Date: July 19 (Noon – 5 p.m.)
Ages: 13-18 (Grades 8-12)
Cost: $25

For more information on the camps, please access the official camp informational packet by clicking here.

Fans can keep up-to-date with all B-CU Athletics via twitter at Twitter.com/BCUathletics, in addition to the official football twitter page at Twitter.com/BCUGridIron. You can also become a fan of the Wildcats on Facebook at Facebook.com/BCUathletics.

COURTESY BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

TSU Field Athletes Shine in Day One of OVC Outdoor

Courtesy: Tennessee State Athletics
OVC DAY 1 RESULTS (.pdf)

EDWARDSVILLE, Illinois – The Tennessee State track and field teams opened the 2014 OVC Outdoor Championship with a handful of solid performances in preliminaries and top-five finishes.

 

JaLyn Burr notched a third-place outing in the high jump after a leap of 1.60 meters, and Clairwin Dameus won the long jump with a 6.22 meter hop. Ashontae Jackson came in second in the long jump (6.02m) to give TSU eight more points.

 

Dameus later tossed the javelin 36.74 meters which earned her fifth place, and won two of the day’s four heptathlon events (100 meter hurdles and 200 meter dash).

 

For the Flying Tigers, Daryl Rice came in fourth in the high jump with a final of 2.05 meters and Justin Young finished fifth in the pole vault (3.80 meters).

 

Tyler Anderson rounded out the day with a fifth-place showing in the long jump after a hop of 7.35 meters.

 

Several TSU athletes including Amber Hughes, Quamel Prince and Quanisha Sales, positioned themselves nicely Friday’s preliminaries which could lead to gold medals tomorrow.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Low Scores Highlight TSU Football Golf Tournament

NASHVILLE, Tennessee  --  On Friday, the Tennessee State football program hosted the fifth annual "Tee Off With The Tigers" Golf Tournament on a beautiful day at the Ted Rhodes Golf Course in Nashville.

The golf tournament raised funds for the TSU Tiger Paw Foundation, which helps maintain expenses for the Big Blue Football program.

Well over 20 teams took part in the shotgun four-ball scramble, but it was Team AIG composed of Derek Fleming, Dewayne Collier, T.C. Cope and Kim Greer that took home first prize with a round of 56.

David Hood, Clint Powell, Conoly Brown and Dean Dudley of A Around Clock shot a 60 and were second, while third place was occupied by Tennessee Orthopedic (Rob Dyer, Brandon Teruya, Donnie Corey and Brad Wolfson).

The TSU football program will now turn its focus to summer camps starting in June.



COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

State champions Moses and Calais sign with Xavier

Joseph Moses III

Carlie Calais

NEW ORLEANS — State track champions Joseph Moses III of Baton Rouge, La., and Carlie Calais of Breaux Bridge, La., signed athletic scholarships Wednesday with Xavier University of Louisiana.
   
Moses, competing for Christian Life Academy, was the Class 1A outdoor champion in the 100- and 200-meter dashes in 2013 and ran the first segment on the 800-relay squad which placed second. He is the son of XU track and cross country coach Joseph Moses.
   
This past week, Moses won District 6-1A titles in the 100 (10.77 seconds) and 200 (22.14).
   
Calais, competing for Cecilia High School, was the 2013 Class 4A outdoor champion in the 800-meter run and placed third in 2012. In February she placed eighth in the 800 at the Division I state meet. On Thursday she posted her best outdoor time in the 800, 2:19.78, in a victory in the Region II-4A meet. At the District 5-4A meet, she repeated as district champion in the 400 and placed second in the 800.
   
Calais is a 4.0 student and will be a pre-pharmacy major at Xavier. She also will compete in cross country for the Gold Nuggets.
   
"Carlie is a great student-athlete," Cecilia coach Logan Duplechein said. "Her work ethic is what separates her from others. She has truly gotten better on the track from year to year."
   
Moses and Calais are the first to sign with Xavier track for 2014-15.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
https://twitter.com/xulagold
https://www.facebook.com/xulagold

MEAC Completes Day One of Track and Field Championships

GREENSBORO, North Carolina  --  The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers and the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats took the lead after the first day of competition of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Irwin Belk Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University.

On the women’s side, the Lady Rattlers tallied 19 points to take the lead. Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats finished second with 17 points, while North Carolina A&T State followed in third with 15 points.

In the high jump, Coppin State’s Deandra Daniel, the 2013-14 Indoor Champion and defending champion in the event, set a new MEAC record with a leap of 1.82m (5-11.50 ft.) to capture first. Daniel replaces the 2006 record of Morgan State’s Brittany Robinson, who jumped 1.80m (5-10.75 ft.). Nakita Gray of North Carolina A&T placed second at 1.77m (5-09.75 ft.), while Bethune-Cookman’s Deidra Jordan jumped 1.67m (5-05.75) to finish third.

Sasha-Ann Lebert of Florida A&M won the discus with a toss of 45.67m (149-10 ft.). Kiara Howell of Norfolk State was second at 45.42m (149-00 ft.) and Shawnata Young of Maryland Eastern Shore placed third at 44.69m (146-07 ft.).

Morgan State of Ishakeema Swain won the 5,000m with a time of 18:16.69. Nayjock Pan of Bethune-Cookman placed second (18:31.42), while Florida A&M’s Effiey Kosgei finished third (18:22.07).

On the men’s side, Bethune-Cookman grabbed the early lead with 28 points, while Maryland Eastern Shore finished second with 26 points, followed by Florida A&M with 18.

Maryland Eastern Shore’s Dillon Simon finished first in the discus with a 55.85m (183-03 ft.) throw. Simon replaces South Carolina State’s Xavier Molette 2013 record with a throw of 51.16m. Emmanuel Stewart of Morgan State placed second at 52.16m (171-01 ft.). Molette finished third with 49.37m (162-00 ft.).

Bethune-Cookman senior Keron Stoute tallied 3,834 points during the first half of the decathlon. Nnamdi Davis was second with 3,658 points and Hampton’s Emmanuel Price was third with 3,649 points.

Rico Taylor of Maryland Eastern Shore won the high jump with a leap of 2.11m (6-11.00 ft.). Bethune-Cookman’s Ed’Ricus Williams placed second and teammate Michael Tiller was third.

The Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships continue Friday, May 2, with the women's heptathlon and men's decathlon at 9 a.m. Other field events on Friday's slate includes the men's and women's long jump, high jump and shot put. The afternoon continues with the men's and women's semifinal in the 400m, 100m dash, 800m, 400m hurdles, 200m dash, women's 100m hurdles and men's 110m hurdles.

The competition wraps up Saturday at 9 a.m. with field events including: men's and women's pole vault, javelin, and triple jump. The women's and men's 4x100m relays will begin the running finals at 1 p.m. Rounding out the evening's events will be the men's and women's 4x400m relay race at 4:20 p.m. 

2014 MEAC TOURNAMENT RESULTS

Women's Results- 3 Scored Events
1.     Florida A&M                              19
2.     Bethune-Cookman                 17
3.     N.C. A&T                                     15
4.     Norfolk State                            14
5.     Coppin State                             13
6.     Morgan State                            10
7.     South Carolina State              9
8.     Maryland Eastern Shore       8
9.     Hampton                                    6.5
10.   N.C. Central                               4
11.   Howard                                       1.5

Men's Results- 3 Scored Events

1.     Bethune-Cookman                 28
2.     Maryland Eastern Shore       26
3.     Florida A&M                              18
4.     South Carolina State              12
5.     Howard                                       11
6.     N.C. A&T                                     10
7.     Morgan State                            8
8.     N.C. Central                               1

COURTESY MEAC MEDIA RELATIONS

Tennessee State Tigerbelles' Hughes Named OVC Outdoor Female Freshman of the Year

NASHVILLE, Tennessee --  Tennessee State hurdler and sprinter Amber Hughes was named the Outdoor Female Freshman of Year by the Ohio Valley Conference office on Thursday.

Hughes, a native of Atlanta, Ga., notched the second-fastest time in the league in the 100-meter hurdles (13.56) and placed fourth in the 400-meter hurdles (1:02.87). The Tigerbelles are also first in the conference in the 4x100 and 4x400 relay events.

The award is the second of its type this year for Hughes, as she was named Female Freshman of the year following the Indoor Season.

Hughes becomes just the second TSU track and field member to win OVC Outdoor Freshman of the Year, following Dominique Ward who took home the inaugural title in 2005.

The Tigerbelles and Flying Tigers will next travel to SIUE on May 2-3 for the conference outdoor championship.

 

COURTESY TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

FAMU Graduating Senior Accepted into Six Medical Schools

Nellena Adekoya

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  --  Florida A&M University (FAMU) graduating senior Nellena Adekoya has a lot to smile about. On Saturday, May 3, she will be among more than 1,300 candidates who will receive diplomas during FAMU’s spring 2014 commencement ceremonies.

Behind Adekoya’s infectious smile is also the excitement of beginning her journey to obtain the title of doctor.

The Grayson, Ga. native has accomplished the phenomenal feat of being accepted into six medical schools: the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, the Meharry Medical College, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine, the Florida State University College of Medicine, the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. She’s decided to attend the Medical College of Georgia, which is located near her hometown.

With her sight’s set on becoming an OB-GYN, Adekoya, 21, said she believes what’s made her such an attractive candidate for medical school is simply her warm personality and passion for helping others.

“I think what helped me to standout was the interview process. I was able to show them that what I had to offer was more than what was on paper,” said Adekoya, who will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Letina Banks, biology instructor and academic advisor, said she knows exactly why so many distinguished medical programs courted Adekoya.

“Nellena has been a superb student from start to finish. She is a shining star,” Banks explained. “No matter what, she always has a smile on her face, is always humble and displays a caring personality. She is a model student and has never been afraid to ask questions or ask for help. She truly has what it takes to be a great physician – she will be a great physician.”

Adekoya’s interest in practicing medicine stems back to before she was a kindergartener.

“Since I was a four-year-old I've wanted to become a doctor. I used to watch a show called ‘Rescue 911’ with my mother and I was inspired to help people in need,” said Adekoya. “From there I took science classes, shadowed physicians and volunteered. I’ve never had any other career option in mind.”

According to Adekoya, a self-proclaimed soccer enthusiast, who donates much of her free time to coaching area youth, FAMU has served as a foundation for her ability to excel in and out of the classroom. She was a recipient of FAMU’s Life Gets Better Scholarship, which offers a full-ride to National Achievement and Merit Semifinalists who maintain at least a 3.5 GPA in high school and major in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“FAMU gave me every tool I needed, both academically and socially, to form a great foundation for medical school,” Adekoya said. “We have some of the most caring and available professors around. I'm very proud to be a Rattler.”

While Adekoya is poised to become one of the nation’s next leaders in medicine, she asserts that everything she has accomplished to get her to this point is not about her.

“My main goal is to help as many people as I can,” she said. “Once I'm established, I'd like to do my best to institute free or discounted medical care services every year. I'm not interested in fame or fortune, just impacting lives.”

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS