For just the second year since Hurricane Katrina, Dillard University has a Boys and girls track and field team. Not only do they have teams, they have champions.
The boys won the first annual GCAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship held at A.W. Munford Stadium in dominating fashion on the campus of Southern University and A&M College held back in April. Dillard dominated SUNO, Xavier University and Edward Waters College from start to finish totaling 161.50 total team points as Edward Waters College finished 2nd with 136 points. The boys were presented their rings by their third year coach, Bobby Williams during Dillard’s season opening home volleyball game.
Many athletes were named all conference in their events.
Runell King, junior from Baton Rouge, Ladalrius Miller and Rudy Garza, both sophomores from Houston made a dynamic trio sweeping the 110-meter hurdles as well as the 400-meter hurdles.
King stated that last season turned out very successful and he expects to see great things from his team moving forward. “ We have recruited heavy and were ready for any obstacle facing us this season!’
Miller was classified as the event’s Most Valuable Runner.
The Bleu Devils’ relay team started the competition by finishing second in the 4×100-meter relay race with a time of 43.21. The 4×400-meter relay team, which has qualified for the NAIA Track and Field Championships in Indianapolis, finished second in competition with a time of 3:24.42. Dillard’s Men’s 4×800-meter relay team finished first in team competition with a time of 9:29.18.
Emory Nash from Burleson, Texas finished first in the Men’s 800-meter race with a time of 2:04.22. Zachary Harmon from Mabelton, GA finished first in the Men’s Shot Put with a score of 9.92 meters.
Ladarius Lewis, sophomore from Ocean Springs, Mississippi is a member of the basketball team as well as the track team. He also competed placing first in the long jump.
The girl’s track team didn’t do too bad either. Sophomore Courtney Henry from New Orleans qualified to compete in the 100-meter dash at the national championship this summer in Indiana. Henry also competed in the 4×100 meter relay as 1st leg accompanying sophomores Dominique Smith from Avondale, LA, Destiny Showell from Cibolo, Texas and juniors Jonquil Griffin Wanda Burks from New Orleans.
Bobby Williams is his 3rd season as head coach for men and women is very confident in his runners for the upcoming year and is ready for another successful season.