GREENSBORO - A different determination in the women's 3000 meter steeplechase or a healthier Krystin Lawson may have led to a better result for the North Carolina A&T track and field programs at the 2011 MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships at N.C. A&T's Irwin Belk Track.
But considering what could have been the Aggies can't be too upset about this weekend's outcomes. Sophomore Danzeto Cephas captured gold on Saturday with a victory in the men's 800 meters. Meanwhile, the Aggie women took 3rd place with a school record 124 points.
"We're rejoicing this weekend," said James Daniels, the Aggies associate head coach. "Our program has been through a lot. But with the help of a great administration and with the assistance of outstanding young people who remained dedicated to the program, we were able to keep it together. Our young people should hold their heads up high for coming through such adversity with a performance like this."
Cephas joins Shakia Forbes as the two Aggies to win conference gold. Forbes claimed her second straight women's long jump title with a victory on Friday. Cephas had an interesting race in which he almost fell twice and ran in the back for the first lap. He made a significant push as he made his first turn on lap No. 2 to gain first place with a time of 1:52.00.
"I like the way Danzeto ran because he made the right moves at the right time," said James Daniels, N.C. A&T's associate head coach. "This is the first time in many years we won this event, so I'm very happy for him."
The men finished in the sixth place with 58 points. The men's 4x100 and 4x400 meter relay teams helped the Aggies reach that amount. The 4x100 team of Darryl Williams, John Hancock, Earl House and Torrance Womack are headed to the NCAA Regionals in Bloomington, Ind., along with alternate Jarrell Elliott. On Saturday, they recorded a time of 40.14 to finish by Maryland Eastern Shore. The 4x400 team of House, Elliott, Cephas and Dmitri Bouttry ran a season-best 3:11.49.
"The men knew coming in they didn't have the numbers to win the MEAC," said Daniels. "But they didn't compete like they didn't have a chance. I think it says a lot about their character. Once we get our numbers where we want them, we believe we can win on both sides."
While the men's opportunity at glory is in their future, the ladies came into Saturday's final day looking to claim the program's first title in 16 seasons. What was even more impressive is they were trying to win with athletes who were competing in events for the first time.
Sophomore Janessa Benn was a perfect example. In her first-ever 3000 meter steeplechase race, Benn crossed the finish line in first place. Then the controversy began. Every runner was mistakenly instructed to run an extra lap. Under those circumstances, Benn won the race. But it was determined by the championship committee that the leader after what was supposed to be the final lap - Norfolk State's Kellen Rutto - would be awarded the gold.
The discrepancy was heightened by the fact Hampton, who had a third-place finisher in the race, lost the team championship by one point.
The Aggies had other problems on Saturday as well. One of their top sprinters - Lawson - was suffering from a hamstring injury. Despite that, the Aggies 4x100 meter relay team still finished second with a time of 45.73, just 32/100ths of second off of Norfolk State's pace.
"She was probably running at 85-90 percent," said Daniels. "She ran smart today. I thought she ran an aggressive second leg (in the 4x100), but she was able to guard herself from further injury. She should be ready for regionals."
The Aggie women also had an impressive showing the 4x400 meter relay. Jenea McCammon, Jessica Farr, Roshel Bygraves and Dotrine Jacobs ran across the finish line in 3:43.00 to place second. It was a part of what was an outstanding weekend for the Aggie females. As a team, they scored in 16 of the 19 events.
"We're still young," said Daniels. "Sophomores are the backbone of our team. I'm excited about what we will be able to do in this meet going forward."
