STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. --- For the seventh time in program history, the LIU Brooklyn women's track and field program has earned the Northeast Conference Indoor Championships.
The Blackbirds ended the final day of the NEC Championships by turning a sixth place start into the school's first indoor crown since 2011 and snapping the four-year reign of defending champion Sacred Heart. The newest team title - delivered via 109 points to SHU's 106 - also gives the Blackbirds an NEC record, surpassing former conference member Monmouth's six championships.
Junior Shantae McDonald was named Indoor Most Valuable Performer and Most Outstanding Track Performer (Sprints) after winning the 200 meters in NEC meet record time (24.45), taking gold in the 60 meter hurdles (8.64) and ending two other events in the top five (4th in 400 meters, 56.10; 3rd in 4x400 relay, 3:54.50) to compile a team high 26.5 total points (10 in 60 hurdles, 10 in 200, 5 in 400, 1.5 in 4x400). Her 60 hurdles and 200 meter titles are her second in each event after winning them in 2017 and the 200 meter record surpassed the 24.48 time set by former Blackbird Stephanie Adioo in 2016.
Junior Eugenie Hue gave LIU its third individual title of the day after finishing first in the 400 meters and also setting an NEC meet record with a time of 55.18. The mark broke a six-year record held by Keishana LaRose of Saint Francis U.
Rounding out the top three point scorers for the Blackbirds were freshman Ashley Blackwell and sophomore Stephanie Esogenwune. Blackwell scored eight points in the 60 meters (2nd, 7.80), four in the 200 meters (5th, 25.24), and 1.5 as part of the 4x400 relay. Esogenwune scored five in the triple jump (4th, 38-4.00/11.68m), four in the high jump (5th, 5-2.00/1.59m) and three in the long jump (6th, 17-4.00/5.28m).
OTHER NOTES
- Sophomore Taylor Parker was named Co-Most Outstanding Performer (Throws) after her Shot Put title on Friday.
- McDonald's meet honors gave marked the seventh time in ten years that LIU has produced the MVP of the indoor meet and the third consecutive year the Blackbirds claimed the Sprints MOP award.