HIGH POINT -- Freshman women's track and field athlete Grace Nwokocha (Harcourt, Nigeria) has been a North Carolina A&T Aggie for five months. In that short time, she has accomplished plenty. 

She added to her numerous successes in a short time by helping the Aggies win the Big South Conference women's track and field outdoor championship Wednesday at High Point University's (HPU) Vert Stadium. 

In winning the championship on Wednesday, the Aggie women have now won every indoor and outdoor conference track and field championship they have participated in since 2017 except one. The 2018 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) outdoor championship is the only exception.  

The Aggies totaled 206 points throughout the week and won eight events to outlast HPU, who finished with 187 points. Hampton finished third with 116 points. The Aggie women broke nine Big South outdoor championship meet records, eight Vert Stadium records, and four Big South records throughout the week. 

Nwokocha, who participated in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo for Nigeria,  won the 100 meters, the 200M and the 4x100-meter relay on Wednesday. As a result, Nwokocha claimed freshman of the year honors for having the most accumulated points by a freshman at the championships with 22.5. She also earned most outstanding performer honors based on having the highest-ranking performance nationally at the meet using current TFFRS marks, as her record-breaking effort in the 200m is ninth in the country. 

"I have to keep working hard so I can get to the podium at nationals, too," said Nwokocha. "But I'm happy. I got a lot of records, so I'm grateful to God for this opportunity to win. A&T has been lovely, it has an excellent program, and I'm only going to get better through my training."

Nwokocha started the day by winning the 4x100 along with graduates Symone Darius and Delecia McDuffie and sophomore Jonah Ross. The foursome finished with a facility and a meet record of 43.19. 

A&T took control of the championships in the 100 as Nwokocha and Darius finished 1,2 in the event at 11.13 and 11.25, respectively. Ross and sophomore Shaliciah Jones also scored in the event as the Aggies took a 146-135 lead they never relinquished. 

When the 200M finished with three Aggies in the top-3, there was little doubt the Aggies would claim the championship. Nwokocha broke the facility, meet and Big South records by finishing with a personal-best 22.75. Darius finished second (22.78) and McDuffie was third (22.97). 

Duane Ross, the Aggies director of track and field programs, gave Nwokocha high praise, comparing her to past Aggie national champions such as Kayla White and Cambrea Sturgis. 

"Grace is extremely talented," said Duane Ross, who won women's Big South coach of the year. "As young as she is, and to be running the way she is running is truly special. We just got her here in January, so she really hasn't been indoctrinated into what we do yet. She is still learning and going through a lot of trial and error as we get ready for regionals and nationals. 

She is a quick learner, so as soon as she gets a full year here in the weight room and on the track and gets acclimated to our culture, she will take off."

Paula Salmon, the Big South indoor champion in the 60 hurdles, took care of business in the 100H by winning in 12.76. Graduate Breanne Bygrave, who made the conference's all-academic team,  finished second in 13.42. 

A&T racked up big points in the 400M as well. McDuffie led the way finishing in 51.97 to capture a new meet and facility record. She was .02 away from breaking her own Big South record (51.96) and earning a personal best. Freshman Pebbles Scott finished third (55.05) and sophomore MyKayla Perry placed fourth (55.27). 

A&T's success in the field events continued on Wednesday. The Aggies finished 1,2 in the high jump, with graduate Nazah Reddick taking the title from conference favorite Kenady Wilson as Reddick jumped 5-feet, 10-inches. Reddick broke the facility and meet record in the process. Wilson jumped 5-feet, 6 1/2-inches. 

Junior Julieth Nwosu won the discus with a personal-best 160-feet. Graduate Loren James placed second with a personal-record 154-feet, 5-inches. In total, the Aggie women won five field events throughout the week. 

Scott, Perry, freshman Fajr Kelly and senior Ayoola Gbolade closed out the championship with a win in the 4x400, crossing in 3:40.69. 

"As well as we are doing on the conference level, I want these young ladies to do this on the regional and national level," said Duane Ross. "We're getting there. I think we are moving in the right direction, and as long as we're moving in the right direction, I'm okay with it. It doesn't have to come right away. We just got to keep building it the right way."