Men's Official Release

Women's Official Release

Brooklyn, N.Y. – The Long Island University men's and women's track and field teams have been picked at or near the top of both of the Northeast Conference's Pre-Championship Predicted Order of Finish polls. The women were picked to finish first, receiving seven first place votes, while the men were picked to finish second, receiving five first place votes. Both squads are looking to defend their titles from last year at the Championships this weekend.

 

On the women's side, the Blackbirds have posted conference-best performances in four events so far this season, and appear in the conference-best top five 15 times. Junior Jessie Gaines leads the contingent of Long Island female sprinters, racing to a 7.58 in the 60-meter dash and an 8.38 in the 60-meter hurdles. Junior Jazmin Waller has also been a contributor in the shorter distances, posting top times in the 200-meter dash (24.90) and 60-meter hurdles (8.68). Gaines and Waller are also major contributors in the jumps along with senior Danay Spencer and junior Torrie Saunders.
 

The men have had six performances good enough for the top of the NEC list, and appear in the top five ten times. The Blackbirds have a lot of depth in the middle distance events, led by three-time NEC Track Athlete of the Week senior Julius Mutekanga. Mutekanga holds the top time in the 500-meter dash and the 800-meter run. Seniors Corryl Boyd and Sam Egadu have shown conference power in the 400-meter dash, running to a 48.58 and 49.27, respectively. Egadu and junior Robert Barnes have posted top times in the 500-meter dash as well.

 

Sophomore Brian Richards and senior Amire Solomon lead the Long Island men's jumpers. Solomon set a new school record in the triple jump at the Great Dane Classic on Jan. 21, breaking the mark set by Ashley-Carter Sinclair in 2004.

 

The 2011 Northeast Conference Track and Field Championships are Feb. 12-13 at the P.G. Sports Complex in Landover, Md.