EMMITSBURG, Md. --- Powered by an eight medal, four title performance on Sunday, the LIU Brooklyn women's track team moved from eighth to third place at the end of this year's Northeast Conference (NEC) Outdoor Championships.
The Blackbirds scored 95 total points as a team, trailing only Central Connecticut (142 pts) and champion Sacred Heart (145 pts) in the team standings. The team's surge in hardware placed them second in gold medals (4) and third in overall medal count (9).
Sophomore
Shantae McDonald proved to be the class of the Blackbird contingent, earning Meet Most Valuable Performer and Most Outstanding Track Performer (Sprints) honors for her efforts over the weekend. On Sunday alone, McDonald was a part of nearly half of LIU's scoring (40 of 83 points). The second-year standout won the 100 meter hurdles (13.91) and 4x400 meter relay (with sophomores
Deja Johnson, Cayla Coleman and senior
Cassandra Jones - 3:53.66); placed second in the 200 meters (24.46); and ran third in the 100 meters (12.16) and 4x100 meter relay (with Coleman, Jones and freshman
Angeli Andre - 47.75).
Jones capped her NEC Championships career with three titles, adding 200 meter (24.21) and 400 meter (55.99) gold to the 4x400 title she earned with McDonald, Johnson, and Coleman.
LIU's other scoring was recorded by:
- Freshman Stephanie Esogenwune in the triple jump (2nd, 37-8.50 / 11.49m, 8pts)
- Andre in the high jump (4th, 5-3.25/1.61m, 5pts)
- Senior Rashema Briscoe in the javelin throw (4th, 133-11.00 / 40.81m, 5pts)
- Johnson in the 400 hurdles (6th, 1:05.47, 3pts) and 100 hurdles (7th, 15.01, 2pts)