The Norfolk State men’s and Hampton’s women’s track and field teams won the 2011 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Indoor Track and Field titles Saturday afternoon at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland.
On the men’s side, the Spartans captured their sixth consecutive MEAC indoor crown breaking their previous meet record in points (188) with 200.
Spartans Head Coach Kenneth Giles was named the Outstanding Coach for the sixth straight year. “It was a total team effort, said Giles. “The student-athletes did and amazing job and we are looking forward to the upcoming outdoor season.”
Hampton’s Damon Dixon, tallied 28 points and was named the Outstanding Field Performer, while Norfolk State’s, Josef Tessema recorded 32.50 points to earn the Outstanding Runner Performer award.
Hampton finished second with 104 points followed by Maryland Eastern Shore to round out the top three with 74 points.
It was a record setting day on the men’s side as Hampton’s Reggie Dixon set a meet record on championship day with a time of 6.69 in the 60m dash. Dixon passed his previous record of 6.70 ran on day two of the championships.
Norfolk State’s Sean Holston also broke a meet record with a time of 47.44 in the 400m dash. Holston’s time topped Willfred Pollard’s (Florida A&M) time of 47.76 set in 1998.
Morgan State’s Emanuel Stewart broke the meet record in the weight throw competition with a distance of 16.70m (55-01.ft.). Former Bear Tyron Benjamin held the previous record throwing 15.79m (52-04.75 ft.) in 2010.
In women’s action, the Hampton Lady Pirates posted 188.50 points to win their ninth overall women’s MEAC indoor title. Their score breaks the Lady Pirates previous meet record of 179 points set in 2007.
Norfolk State finished in second with 102.50 points followed by Maryland Eastern Shore in third with 100 points.
Lady Pirates Head Coach Maurice Pierce was named the Women’s Outstanding Coach.
“Our freshmen stepped up to the plate, ” said Pierce. “On top of Racquel Vassell’s performances, and our freshmen, it all came together today”.
Hampton’s Teiara Denmark posted 20.05 points to earn Outstanding Field Performer honors, while Maryland Eastern Shore’s Cynthia Anais and Hampton’s Racquel Vassell shared Co-Outstanding Runner accolades. Both runners recorded 32.50 points.
Running a time of 2:10.47 in the 800m run, Maryland Eastern Shore’s Cynthia Anais broke the indoor record set by former Lady Hawk Merrecia James in 2007 (2:10.57).
In the field events, Norfolk State’s Katie Wright passed her previous 2009 MEAC indoor record in the pole vault of 3.36m (11-00.25 ft.) setting a new record of 3.41m (11-02.25 ft.).
