CSU's Daniel sets school record at Winston-Salem Open
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Coppin State junior high jumper Deandra Daniel accomplished another significant milestone this past weekend at the Winston-Salem State Open track meet at the JDL Fast Track. Daniel soared 1.83 meters for the first time in her career during an indoor meet to establish a new school record.
Daniel’s dominating performance highlighted the weekend for the Coppin State women’s track and field team. While being a school-record holder is fascinating and cool, Daniel’s focus is on becoming the best collegiate high jumper on the planet, which is within her reach.
Currently, Daniel’s mark of 1.83 is tied for second-best nationally with Mary Wirth of South Dakota State. The top mark for now is 1.86 meters held by Cincinnati’s Erika Hurd and Maryland’s Amber Melville.
Daniel wasn’t finished having fun in the Tar Heel state.
The personable four-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) high jump champion also established season-best marks in the triple and long jumps. Daniel was second in both events, soaring 5.62 meters (18 feet, 5.25 inches) in the long jump and 11.37 meters (37-03.75) in the triple jump.
Daniel’s good friend, sophomore Alethia Edwards, enjoyed a solid weekend throwing around heavy objects. Edwards set season-best marks in finishing fifth in the shot put (11.48 meters) and sixth in the weight throw (15.09 meters).
On the track, junior Melissa Caddle-Hope was second in the 400-meter dash in a season best time of 56.27 seconds. She also teamed with Alexis Marsh, Tanaya Yarde and Kadeem Curtis to help the quartet place fourth overall in the 4 x 400-meter relay (3:59.21).
Coppin State returns to action Friday when it competes in the Ursinus Collegeville Classic at the Floy Lewis Bakes Center outside of Philadelphia.
For complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com
Savannah State Track and Field Runs Winston-Salem Open
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Savannah State men’s and women’s track and field teams opened the 2015 portion of the indoor season at the Winston-Salem State Open this past weekend.
The Tigers earned a couple of top 10 finishes, including a second place rank in the overall team standings. The SSU men’s team finished behind High Point University in the team standings, but beat out Florida International and UNC Charlotte.
Leading the charge for the Tigers was the team of Lemaar Shakir, Brandon Davis, Malik Franklin and Donterious Copeland, who won the 4x400 meter relay with a time of 3:24.24.
SSU senior Cameron Hall finished second in the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.05, followed by Shakir, who ran a 8.38 for a fourth place finish. Shakir ran a 51.72 in the 400 meter dash for a sixth place finish.
Newcomer Corey Jones finished fourth in the 800 meter dash with a time of 2:00.70. Micah Richards ran a 4:45.89 in the mile run for a fourth place finish. In the 200 meter dash, Justin Leggett finished in eighth place with a time of 22.77.
Franklin led the Tigers in the field. He finished first in the long jump with a distance of 7.07 meters. In the triple jump, Franklin finished second with a distance of 14.81m.
In the shot put event, Stevenson Crowell recorded a distance of 11.74m for a tenth place finish. Derrick Akins finished seventh in the weight throw with a distance of 12.61m.
The Lady Tigers finished in fourth place in the team standings. They beat out UNC Charlotte and fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) member N.C. A&T State.
SSU fared better in the field than on the track, earning several top finishes. In the pole vault, Alysia Potts finished in fourth with a distance of 2.90m, followed by teammate Kourtney Sizemore, who also recorded a distance of 2.90m.
Jaymi White finished the high jump with a distance of 1.47m in seventh place. White also earned a second place finish in the pentathlon with a score of 3107.
SSU newcomer Mia McLean finished fifth in the triple jump with a distance of 10.90m. Ravyn Mike led several Lady Tigers in the long jump with a distance of 5.05m and an 11th place finish.
Savannah State continues the indoor season with another visit to Winston-Salem, N.C. for the UNCG Spartan Challenge on Jan. 25.
For complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com