NEW ORLEANS, La. (GCAConf.com) – The Xavier University women’s team won the 2015 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference on Saturday at Tad Gormley Stadium in New Orleans, La. The Gold Nuggets had eight individual event wins and one relay victory to claim the championship. The championship was the third in the row for Xavier and their fourth in the past five years.
Xavier totaled 202 points in winning the championship, with Edward Waters (158 points) and Dillard (138 points) following in second and third place, respectively. SUNO finished in fourth place with 65 points.
The Gold Nuggets got four first place finishes from senior Catherine Fakler (3,000 meter steeplechase, 800 meters, 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters). Fakler won the 1,500 for the fourth consecutive year and the 5,000 and steeplechase for the third straight year. Also finishing first for Xavier were Tylor Row (100 meter hurdles), Terri Cunningham (400 meter hurdles, high jump), Devinn Rolland (long jump), and the 4×800-meter relay team made up of Zahri Jackson, Fakler, Hannah Finnegan, and Reeka Belton. Cunningham won the 400 meter hurdles for second straight year, while Rolland claimed her fourth straight long jump title.
Southern University at New Orleans had three first place finishers and two team victories. The Lady Knights got wins from Leonie Robinson (100 and 200 meter dashes) and Orenthia Bennett (400 meters) in individual competition. The 4×100 meter relay team of Chantal Pennie, Shadae Hylton, Ashley Mylrea, and Robinson took the conference crown while Bennett, Robinson, Mylrea, and Hylton won the 4×400 meter relay.
Dillard University and Edward Waters College tied with two individual victories apiece. The Lady Bleu Devils’ Danielle Glover (hammer throw) and Jocelyn Daggs (triple jump) won conference titles, while Lynetta Cook won both the shot put and discus for the Lady Tigers.
