Wildcat Track Turns in Top Finishes at USF; Qualifies Two for NCAA Regional

B-CU Collects 10 top-five finishes at the meet, and prepares now to take two Wildcats to Greensboro for the Regional

May 17, 2010

TAMPA, Fla. - Over this past weekend, the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman track & field took selected athletes to their last regular season event of the 2009-10 season, at the USF Twilight Invitational. B-CU was looking to add more athletes to the list of NCAA regional qualifiers with the last meet of the season. Coming out of the meet, the Wildcats have two performers that met the mark to go to the NCAA East Regional in Greensboro, N.C., Ron Danielle Williams and Eric Cray.

At the USF Twilight, Asia Henry topped the finish lists for B-CU, jumping a height of 1.50m (4-11.00 ft.) to win the high jump. Henry also ran a time of 2:28.98 to finish fourth in the 800m run.

On the men's side, the Wildcats' leader was Kenson Nicholas, who finished second in the triple jump with a leap of 13.22m (43-04.50 ft.).

In the women's 100m dash, Nickesha Williams recorded a time of 11.92 seconds to finish second. Also in the 100m, Analisa Austin finished sixth at 12.93. On the men's side of the 100m, Martin Embry came in 11th in a time of 10.98.

Eric Cray, returning to the track after a late-season injury, finished third in the 400m hurdles, coming in with a time of 52.96 second. On the women's half of the 400m hurdles, Tanekia Flowers ran a time of 1:03.85 to finish fourth.

In the women's 400m dash, LaShondra Wilbon pulled in fifth place with a season's best, finishing in a time of 56.10, while on the men's side, Marcell Keeling also crossed in fifth with his season-best performance to finish off his Wildcat career in a time of 48.27. Chris Jackson also ran in the 400m, finishing 12th with a time of 51.65.

In the women's 200m, Nickesha Williams added another top-five performance with a fifth place spot in a time of 24.48.

At the long jump, Johnareus Young came in fifth with a leap of 6.12m (20-01.00 ft.).

In the 110m hurdles, D.J. Howard came in sixth with a time of 14.80 seconds.

Heading into the NCAA Regionals at the end of May, the Wildcats wrap the season with two athletes qualified under the new standards. Eric Cray will compete in the 400m hurdles, with a qualifying time of 51.94. For the women, Ron Danielle Williams will throw the shot put, making the meet with a distance of 14.98m (49-1.75 ft.).

"A Great way to finish off the year for several of the athletes," said B-CU Assistant Coach Matt Barreau, "and it was great that Marcell was able to run a season’s best to finish off his career for B-CU after having to miss the conference meet, last week, because of graduation. He’s got a degree and finished off his athletic career on a high note as well. Now we are looking forward to getting Eric [Cray] and Ron Danielle [Williams] prepped for the first round of the NCAA competition, and in helping them look to advance to Eugene."

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