March 22, 2008

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DURHAM, N.C. - The North Carolina Central University track and field team welcomed four other institutions to the 2008 LeRoy T. Walker Track and Field Invitational on Saturday, March 22. Included in the Eagles first home meet were Bowie State University, Shaw University, Saint Paul's College and Mount Olive College.

NCCU proved to be a dominant force by the end of the day, winning a combined total of 19 events, along with nine second place finishes and nine third place finishes, totaling 37 medals for the program.

Leading on the field, NCCU senior Eric Smalls and junior Will Scott won two apiece. Smalls won the discus throw (44.30m) and the shot put (14.70m). Scott led the long jump with a distance of 2.10 meters and the triple jump with a distance of 14.35 meters.

Other NCCU winners in the field competition were Kimberly Derrickson in the javelin throw (33.00m), Latasha Jones in the shot put (12.50m), Jessica Mills in the triple jump (11.49m) and Mark Davis in the high jump (2.03m).

The track competition was also a victory for Eagles as they captured first place in five events. In the men's and women's 4x100 meter relay, NCCU placed first with the men finishing in 40.99 seconds and the women in 48.47 seconds.

The 4x400m relay was also captured by the NCCU men and the women with times of 3:17.85 and 3:58.29, respectively.

Sophomores Desinia Johnson (2:22.38) and Brandon Jones (1:55.04) led the 800m run, adding two more first place victories for the Eagles. Johnson continued on to win the 1500m run in 4:49.07, with teammate Robert Curington winning on the men's side in 4:17.52.

Additional NCCU winners included Ambria Alexander in the 200m dash (25.71) and 400m dash (57.72), and Maurice Gailey in the 200m dash (21.70).

The Eagles will be on the road next week and they travel to Raleigh, N.C. to compete in the Raleigh Relays. First race is scheduled for 9 a.m.

Written by Nicole Mitchell, Sports Information Graduate Assistant