BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Alabama State men’s and women’s Indoor Track and Field programs swept league competition for the first time in school history as both programs earned the 2017 SWAC Indoor titles on Friday, Feb. 17 in Birmingham, Ala., and the Birmingham CrossPlex.
On the women’s side, the Hornets continued their dominance, as ASU earned its ninth-straight women’s indoor title with a 78-points advantage over second place competitor, Texas Southern.
For the men, history was made as the Hornets edged Grambling State by a single point to bring home their first championship title since 2010 .
For a team comprised mostly of rookies, six gold medals were earned for the women during the championship; Lekeyah Blackmon (pole vault – 3.21), Kaila Lewis (60m – 7.50), Tatiana Etienne (800m – 2:16.87), Kaila Lewis (200m – 24.26), Arion Span (1 mile – 5:17.26) and the distance medley relay team of Brandee Ebert, Etienne, Chyna-Joi Staton and Span (13:12.21).
On the men’s side the Hornets earned three gold; Roshaine Byfield (shot put – 15.33m), Jamie Brown (long jump – 7.17m) and Norris Spike (60m – 6.76).
Head coach Ritchie Beene earned his 26th program title with the Hornets while being SWAC coach of the year, times two (men’s and women’s). ASU’s Jamie Brown won Most Outstanding Men’s Field Performer with 19 points and Arion Span won the Most Outstanding Women’s Track Performer award with 26 points.
Courtesy: Alabama State Athletics
