Aggie men win three event championships

Results           AGGIES TRY TO WIN FOR SPACE
BALTIMORE, Md., May 3, 2008 – Depth was all that stood in the way of the North Carolina A&T men’s track and field team winning a championship at the 2008 MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships held at Morgan State’s Hughes Stadium on Saturday. The men finish second behind a very deep Norfolk State team that ended the day by winning its third straight outdoor championship.

“I told the men coming in here that I thought they could finish in the top four,’’ said N.C. A&T sprinters coach James Daniels. “To come out of here with a second-place finish after not having athletes in some events is a testament to how much pride these guys have in their school and their coach. They really wanted to bring a championship home to lift coach Thompson’s spirits.”

Daniels coached both teams because director of track and field programs Roy “Spaceman” Thompson stayed in Greensboro to tend to his wife who is recovering from an illness. In his absence, the men’s team won three individual titles and had eight top five finishes to come away with 95 points. The Aggies came in second despite not competing in the pole vault, 5000 meters, 3000 meter steeplechase and the decathlon.

“You just have to control the things you can control,’’ said Daniels. “When it was time for us to compete, we competed. My job and the athletes job is to represent the university in the best fashion we can, and our young men did that this weekend.”

The Aggies may not have depth, but they certainly have talent. Sophomore Calesio Newman took home the first outdoor gold medal of his career by winning the 100 meters with a time of 10.33. Newman finished second in the 200 meters and he was a part of the 400 meter relay that finished second. Newman finished the day by scoring 26 points for the Aggies.

“When I was a kid, I would always see how fast I could run from light post to light post,’’ said Newman. “Coach Thompson always tells me to keep it that simple. Just run from light post to light post. I wasn’t concerned with who was around me. I just wanted to execute out of my last drive phase and finish strong.”

Ron Buchanan took home first place in the triple jump for the second straight season. He said his goal coming in was to best his mark from last season. Mission accomplished. Buchanan jumped 50-feet, 6 ¾ inches last season. On Saturday, he jumped 50-feet, 11-inches. Buchanan outdid himself despite still jumping on a bad Achilles. “I wasn’t hurt as bad as I thought I was,’’ said Buchanan. “I just jump off of my weak (left) leg when I make my final jump toward the pit. As long as I jump, right, right, left, I’m in a little pain but I’m fine.”

The Aggies other championship also came in a field event. Lonnie Phifer won his second shot put championship in three years. “Last year I wasn’t as mentally prepared as I was today,’’ said Phifer, a Greensboro native.  

Despite not having the numbers to win, the Aggies stayed focused all weekend long. They got an extra qualifier in Tarrish Alexander in the long jump. Plus, a team that had never run together this season – 400 relay team – finished second and qualified for regionals.

“We just wanted to have fun,’’ said Phifer. That’s when we are at our best.”