TSU Tigerbelles Heat Up Inaugural HBCU Indoor Invitational
February 8, 2003
Landover, Maryland - When the gun went off
it was the signal of the start of the inaugural Historic Black
College Invitational at the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning
Complex. It took the Tennessee State Tigerbelles to set the
opening mark in the Distance Medley Relay. The baton was passed
to the anchor, Monique Demmons and it was down to business as
she started to open a gap to set the mood for the following
events. The Tigerbelle squad (Mercy Udoji, Crystal Ewell, Raeven
Richard) set a meet record of 12:35.14. The American in door
record is 10:59.76p. Howard University was second in 13:01.02.
"I was trying to catch people in front of me. I was singing
the school song in my head "It's Hard To Be A Tigerbelle".
Our expectation was to win. We got off to a bad start and we
all stayed focused. I was proud to hear about the HBC Invitational.
I learned today that even if I don't get a good warm up I can
still give 110%", said Demmons.
"I ran the 1200 leg. I am a freshman and the others are
seniors. I am glad they had the faith in me to be on the team.
You always feel that you have pressure. I was a little uneasy
towards the end", stated Richard.
The tone of the HBC was set by the Tigerbelles and it demonstrated
a prime objective of the meet, to showcase the athletes of the
Historic Black Colleges and Universities. There were 20 teams
represented and each event will have meet records set and some
will be broken in future years, but there will only be one first
year champion..
The Men's Distance Medley Relay was won by Hampton University
in 10:29.38, second was Howard University in 10:32.91 and third
was Southern University in 10:43.34.
"Doc Burkes called me in September and I told him I thought
it was a good idea to get all of the black schools together
to see who would get the bragging rights. I don't think people
realize that track and field is a competitive sport; we come
out of the womb running. At the black colleges, it's a nurturing
process, we work with the students one on one", said Coach
David Boyd of Hampton University.
Brian Johnson of Southern University led the way in the preliminaries
for the 60 Meter Dash in 6.77. Chaz Clemon of Lincoln University
was second in 6.78 and third was Noel Parnell of Southern University
in 6.90. There were a total of 12 to advance to the final round
on Sunday. Southern had five athletes.
Morgan State captured the top two spots in the Women's 60 Meter
Dash preliminary with Sharronda Boone taking first in 7.62 and
Mariama Goode was second in 7.63. The third best time was 7.69
by Leslie Leary of Tennessee State.
In the Women's 400 Meter Dash preliminary, Delaware State's
Tiffany Barnes turned the fastest time in 55.75. Erica Day of
Howard University has d the second best in 57.57. Tennessee
Sate, Crystal Ewell had the third best time in 58.06. There
were a total of 26 competitors with the top six to advance to
the finals.
In the Men's 400 Meter Dash preliminary, Delaware State's Joshwyn
Abrams set the mark at 49.50. The second best time was 49.63
by Peppi Underwood of Southern University and teammate Leon
Stewart ha d the third best time of 50.21. Southern had three
athletes to advance.
The Women's 3000 Meter Run (unseeded) was won by Rayla Hunt
of Southern University in 11:32.52. Judy Tubei of Norfolk State
was second in 11:45.24 and third was Erikka Thomas in 11:52.70.
In the Men's 5000 Meter Run (unseeded), David Blue of Hampton
took first in 16:24.80 followed by teammate Terrance Baptiste
in 17:45.06. Anthony Lee of Southern University was third in
18:14.05.
In the Women's 60 Meter Hurdles preliminary, Kellie Wells of
Hampton posted the fastest time of 8.80 followed by teammate
Chloe Davis in 8.83. The third best was 8.86 set by Eboni Henderson
of Norfolk State.
In the Men's 60 Meter Hurdles preliminary, Jamie McLendon of
Southern University posted the fastest time of 8.09. David Oliver
of Howard University was second in 8.10. The third best time
was 8.26 by Keith Willis of Bethune-Cookman.
In the Women's High Jump, Cynthia Nicholls of Hampton posted
1.72 meters (5'7.75"). Avanelle Baird of Morgan State was
second in 1.70 meters (5'7"). Erica O'Hara of Wilberforce
was third in 1.70 meters (5'7").
In the Women's Long Jump, LaClaire Carter of Howard University
posted 5.75 meters (18'10.5"). Cynthia Nicholls of Hampton
University placed second in 5.71 meters (18'9"). Tianna
Goldring of Norfolk State was third in 5.66 meters (18'7").
In the Men's Long Jump, Brian Johnson of Southern University
posted 7.55 meters ((24'9.25") and teammate Henry Frazier
posted 7.50 meters (24'7.25"). Lance Gross of Howard University
was third in 7.23 meters (23'8.75").
In the Women's Weight Throw, Silvers Fultz of Southern University
placed first with 13.58 meters. Carole Mitchell of Southern
University was second with 11.43 meters. Kenitra Woods of Tennessee
State was third with 10.50 meters.
"The community here supports track and field I can tell
by looking in the stands. When I first heard about the met what
touched me was that most people don't know that most of HBCU
schools train the Olympic runners. It is great meet to introduce
to the city and it brings all of the talent together and to
showcase how good the athletes are. This meet is to get unity
and it makes the athletes feel more relaxed", said Michael
Lawson, Head Coach at North Carolina Central University.
"I think this is something positive and it says a lot
for black institutions. As we try to do something positive we
need more support, I'm excited. We need results to showcase,
the 6.7 in the dash was impressive and we try to be competitive.
I hope the meet continues", said Neville Hodge, Head Coach,
Morgan State.
"When I saw the paper, I told my wife "bye".
I thought it was amazing that the athletes would come this far.
I hope that it gets bigger. My school provided a lot of Olympians
and the school didn't give out good grades you had to earn them.
I love track and field and I wanted to run in college",
said Sam Jones, Hall of Fame, Boston Celtics (1957-1969) and
a graduate of North Central College (now North Carolina Central).
On Friday evening before the meet a special presentation was
made by George Harris, President of the Potomac Valley Association
to honor Olympic coaches. The recipients, Laverne Sweat (Norfolk
State), William Moultrie, Ed Temple (Tennessee State), L.C.
Washington (Prairie View), Dr. Leroy Walker. Also, to George
"Pup" Williams, the 2004 U.S. Men's Track and Field
Coach.
"When you are recognized by your peers it means a lot.
You don't have to be a good athlete to be a good coach. You
have to learn your craft and become good. To be the best you
have to go back to your past", said Coach Sweat.
"I am deeply honored for this opportunity. This is a special
moment in my life. If you believe in what you do, you can get
other people to believe in you", said Coach Moultrie.
The Historic Black College Invitational is sponsored by the
Potomac Valley Association. Sponsors include American Track
& Field (http://www.american-trackandfield.com)
and Reebok.
