Saint Augustine's College men claim NCAA Division II indoor track and field title

Saint Augustine’s College men claim NCAA Division II indoor track and field title; Falcons’ women place third

March 11, 2006

BOSTON, Mass. – Saint Augustine’s College esteemed head coach George Williams was proud that his Falcons won the NCAA Division II men’s indoor track and field championship Saturday at the Reggie Lewis Center. He was just as proud that the Falcons placed third in the women’s indoor championships as well with only six females.

Saint Augustine’s College won its ninth overall NCAA Division II men’s team title and the first one since 2001 with 66.5 points. Their victory ended second-place Abilene Christian’s string of four consecutive national titles. Also, Marquita Davis of the Falcons won the 60-meter hurdles and broke the national indoor women’s event record in the process by winning in 8.44 seconds, breaking the mark of 8.54 set by Maisha Prewitt of Ft. Hays State in 2002.

The Falcons’ women team finished third with 49 points behind champion Lincoln (87 points) and runner-up Abilene Christian (50.33 points). What’s more amazing is the Falcons were a couple points shy of placing second.

The Falcons literally sprinted their way to the men’s crown during the two-day meet. Speedsters Philippe DeRosier, Jamaal Torrance, and the Falcons’ 4x400 meter relay team won their respective events to become national champions.

DeRosier sprinted away from the field to capture the 200 meters in 21.36 seconds. Runner-up Michael Lawrence of Minnesota State finished in 21.43 seconds.

Torrance won the 400-meter dash in 46.89 seconds while Joel Duffield of Chadron State was second in 47.22. The relay team consisting of Lurias Eugene, Travon Lee, Tim Riley and Torrance took the 4x400 relay in a time of 3:12.26. Abilene Christian was second in a time of 3:12.59.

Several other Falcons gained All-America honors by finishing eighth or better. In the 60-meter hurdles, Unyime Akpan placed second in 7.70 seconds, Chris Stephens was fourth in 8.11 and Jermaine Baker was fifth in 8.13. In the 60-meter dash, Dennis Boone was fourth in 6.80 and DeRosier was eighth in 6.89. In the men’s 400-meter dash, Lee placed seventh in 48.52.

In the high jump, Joe Kindred tied for sixth with a height of 6-9. In the long jump, Fabian Hutchinson was third with a leap of 24-7.25, Boone was seventh with a distance of 23-11, and Dwayne Greenidge was eighth (23-9).

Though the Falcons’ women didn’t win a title, their performance was amazing, too. Johnsie Liles led the way by scoring 18 points in individual events including a 400-meter dash victory in 53.67 seconds. She beat Davita Prendergast of Lincoln who ran a time of 53.82.

Liles also teamed with Jessica Render, Dana Robinson and Erica Young to win the 4x400-meter relay in 3:43.09. Lincoln was second in 3:44.42.

Liles also finished second in the 200-meter dash in 24.44 seconds. She finished second to Prendergast, who won the event in a national meet record 24.12.

In the women’s 60-meter dash, Render was fifth in 7.51 seconds and seventh in the 200-meter dash in 24.94. In the 400-meter dash, Young placed eighth in 57.22. In the triple jump, Kimberly Moore was fifth with a jump of 39-2.50.

Any athlete or relay team who placed eighth or better scored points and earned All-America honors.