Epps named first-team All-America by USTFCCCA
BALTIMORE – Coppin State University senior triple-jumper Christina Epps added another title to her name: All-America.
Epps ended her collegiate indoor track and field career with a flourish by finishing seventh in her signature event at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in Albuquerque, N.M. last Saturday. Epps’ best effort of the meet was 13.07 meters (42 feet, 10.75 inches). Fans will be able to watch a tape-delayed broadcast of the championship meet on Saturday, March 22 starting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU.
Epps’ performance last week was the perfect punctuation mark to an incredible comeback season for the gifted student-athlete who tore her anterior cruciate ligament on May 17, 2012. The honors continue to roll in for Epps as she earned All-America honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Monday afternoon. The recognition for the indoor season was based on their performance at last week’s NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships.
First-team honors were given to those who placed in the championships’ top eight in an event or were a member of an eight-person final. Second team honors were earned by those who finished between ninth and 16th place. In addition, 14 men and four women earned honorable mention honors. Epps was the only Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) female student-athlete to receive first team honors.
Epps enjoyed a season full of highlights. Already the school record holder in the triple jump, Epps won the championship at the ECAC and MEAC championships. In between, she finished sixth at the USA Track and Field Indoor National Championships and was named MEAC Athlete of the Week. Epps’ career best mark is 13.16 meters, which she accomplished on Feb. 8 at the New York Armory.
Another highlight for Epps, who already earned her psychology degree, occurred off the track. Her academic brilliance in the classroom led to her being awarded a NCAA postgraduate scholarship this past year. To qualify for a postgraduate scholarship, student-athletes must excel academically and athletically, be in their final year of eligibility and plan to pursue graduate study. Student-athletes must also maintain at least a 3.2 grade-point average and be nominated by their institution’s faculty athletics’ representative. Created in 1964, the NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships promote and encourage education.
For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com
Denmark named Second Team All-American
NEW ORLEANS – Hampton University senior Teiara Denmark was named Second Team All-American by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), as the 2014 indoor honorees were announced on Monday.
Denmark competed in the long jump in the NCAA Indoor Championships this past weekend in Albuquerque, N.M., coming in 16th with a mark of 5.93 meters (19 feet, 5.5 inches).
This marks the fourth straight season in which a Lady Pirate has earned All-American honors. Overall, the Lady Pirates have amassed 26 Div. I All-American honors.
The honor is but another notch in the belt for Denmark, who earlier this season set a new school record in the indoor long jump with a mark of 6.26 meters (20 feet, 6.5 inches) at the Armory Collegiate on Feb. 8.
She was also a First Team All-MEAC honoree in the long jump after winning the conference title in that event, and Denmark was also Second Team All-MEAC in the triple jump and pentathlon – as well as Third Team All-MEAC in the high jump.
Denmark also holds the team’s best mark in the triple jump this season at 12.73 meters (41 feet, 9.25 inches).
Student-athletes who finished first through eighth in their event in the NCAA Championships this past weekend earned First Team honors, while those who came in ninth through 16th were awarded Second Team status.
USTFCCCA membership is required to receive All-America honors.
For complete story, visit www.hamptonpirates.com