February 2016, Sports

Falcon runners capture 19th straight title

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Saint Augustine’s University won its 19th consecutive men’s conference title at the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships at the JDL Fast Track on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016.
 
The Falcons scored 173 points to continue their championship streak. Virginia Union University was second with 107 points and Virginia State University was third with 84.5 points.
Saint Augustine’s University placed third in the women’s division with 107.33 points. Winston-Salem State scored 120 points to win its second consecutive women’s title and Johnson C. Smith was second with 110 points.
Immanuel Hutchinson (Sr./San Jacinto, CA) of the Falcons was selected men’s track MVP after scoring 30 points in the meet. The Falcons’ senior won the 5000-meter and one-mile runs and placed second in the 800-meter run. On Sunday, he was part of the winning men’s distance medley squad which included Shaquille Dill (Fr./Pembroke, Bermuda), Burkheart Ellis, Jr. (Sr./Raleigh, NC) and Khari Herbert, Jr.(Jr./Coral Springs, FL).
Shamia Lassiter (Sr./Chesapeake, VA) of the Lady Falcons was chosen women’s field co-MVP after scoring 18 points. Lassiter won the pentathlon and placed second in the long jump. She also won the 60-meter hurdles.
The Falcons relied on their sprinters and jumpers to win their latest men’s championship. They won all eight running events and the triple jump Monday to pull away from their competitors.
Behind 36-15 to Virginia Union entering the final day, the Falcons erupted for 158 points to win easily. Hutchinson led the way with two victories and Herbert, Jr. (400 meters), Shawn Rowe (60-Meter Hurdles), Daniel Jamieson (Sr./Windsor, CT/200 meters), Dill (800 meters), Ellis (60 Meters), and Jumonne Exeter (Soph./St. Vincent/Triple Jump) each won an event. The nation’s top-ranked 4×400-meter relay squad which includes Herbert, Ellis, Rowe and Omar Johnson (Sr./St. Ann, Jamaica) was also victorious for the Falcons.
Sparked by Lassiter, the Lady Falcons won six events. Ornella Livingston (Jr./St. Ann, Jamaica) was a double-winner after capturing the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes. Amenze Uhunmwangho (Sr./Ebo, Nigeria) was the triple jump winner and Shakinah Brooks (Jr./Raleigh, NC) claimed the long jump on Sunday.