SC State Captures MEAC Indoor Track Title

Landover, MD - South Carolina State captured four firsts and snared three runner-up finishes in amassing 76 points to capture the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship Saturday at the Prince George's Sports Complex. The SCSU women compiled 33 points to grab sixth place in the women's division, which was won by Delaware State with 75 points.

In capturing their first indoor title since 1991, the Bulldogs had to survive a protest by second place North Carolina A&T, which was disqualified in the 4x400 meter relay, one of the four events won by SCSU. The protest was denied.

Coach Ernest Tche', who captured the first title of his five-year tenure as SCSU men's and women's coach, was named the meet's outstanding coach in the men's division.

"It's been a long time coming," said an elated Tche' after his team's championship. "We have been working toward this day and I'm very happy."

"Our athletes have worked hard," he continued, "and it's great that they have been rewarded with a championship. I'm happy for them as well for our staff."

North Carolina A&T had 73 points to earn the runner-up trophy. Rounding out the top six teams were Florida A&M with 58 points, Coppin State with 54, Norfolk State with 49 and Bethune-Cookman with 35.

Earning firsts for the Bulldogs were Spencer Stephens in the pole vault (14-06.00), Jermaine Brown in the 200 meters (21.80), an event in which SCSU swept the top three places, Jeffrey Fourth in the 55 meters (6.27) and the 4x400 meter relay team of Kelvin Green, Dwayne Webley, Kenneth Telemaque and Jamar Glenn (3:15.07).

Grabbing seconds for SCSU were Glenn in the 200 meters (21.84), Justin McCorkle in the long jump (7.41m) and Errick Dixon in the 55-meter hurdles (7.67).

Fourth accounted for 16 SCSU points to finish third in the individual totals behind winner Nickle Peters (22.5) of Coppin and Ben Chesang (20) of Bethune-Cookman.

Other high finishes for the Bulldogs were DaShawn Gregg, third in the 55-meter hurdles (7.82), and Fourth, third in the 200 meters (21.96).

Falawna Ingram captured the 200 meters in 24.45 seconds, her best showing of the season in the event, for the only first place finish for the SCSU women. Ingram, who amassed 22 points to finish third in the individual competition, was clocked in 7.84 to finish third in the 55-meter hurdles, giving her a provisional qualification for the upcoming NCAA Championship. The Augusta native was also third in the 55-meter run.

Other high finishers for the SCSU women were Celine Nyansa, fourth in the 55 meters, and Kimberly Works, fifth in the 55-meter hurdles, and Cora Johnson, fifth in the long jump.

Following Delaware State in the women's competition was Hampton with 63 points. Rounding out the top six were Morgan State with 54, Norfolk State with 51, Florida A&M with 48 and SCSU with 33.

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