BOWIE, MD (May 5, 2022) – An entire season of preparation and training all comes down to this weekend as the Claflin University men’s and women’s outdoor track & field teams take part in the 2022 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Outdoor Track & Field Championships, this weekend. After last competing in the outdoor track & field championships in 2019, both teams will look for their steady progress heading into the meet to pay off this weekend.
“I’m looking for both teams to compete hard and execute what we have been working on since September,” Claflin men’s and women’s track & field head coach Garon Jackson said.
The Panthers will be looking for some great performances on the track as well as some terrific efforts in field events as they make their bid for the conference championship. Sophomore Zion Murry will look to make his way to the medal stand as he is currently ranked second in the CIAA in the men’s 200m dash. He posted a 1:56.00 at the Georgia Southern Spring Classic. Freshman Darius Holmes is currently ranked third in the men’s 110m hurdles with a 15.27 which he recorded at the Weems Baskin Relays.
In field events, the Panthers will also look to make some noise with a mix of youth and experience to lead the way. A lot will be expected from freshman Jocolbi Morgan heading into the meet. He currently leads the CIAA in the men’s long jump with his 23’8.75″ (7.23m) leap. Senior Matthew Rox will also look to make his mark as he is currently ranked third in the conference in the men’s javelin throw with a 146’7″ (44.67m) throw.
“We are still building and hopefully, we will have a great showing,” Jackson added.
Throughout the regular season, several members of the Lady Panthers’ team have proven to be among the best athletes in the conference. Freshman Zoe Adams currently leads the conference and the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region with a 55.93 in the women’s 400m dash. Her time is good enough to serve as a provisional qualifying time for the 2022 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships and it is currently 33rd nationally. The Lady Panthers’ distance runners will also have a terrific opportunity to have an impact on the conference championships as they have dominated the conference this season. The Lady Panther duo of freshman Madison McDonald and senior Sky Buie-Cox lead the conference in performance this season. McDonald leads the way with an 11.55.66 while Buie-Cox added a 12:01.13. The Lady Panthers’ 4x400m relay team is also ranked third in the conference with a 3:58.61.
In field events, the Lady Panthers will look to their throws events to lead the way. Senior Zaria Nelson currently leads the CIAA in the women’s discus with a 154′ 2″ (47.00m). The distance is also an NCAA Division II provisional qualifying mark as well. She also leads the conference in the women’s shot put with a 42’2″ (12.85m).
“Like the men’s team, we are still building,” Jackson added. “But this year, we have grown.”
In 2019, Claflin competed in the CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships for the first time. The Panthers placed fifth with 70 points while the Lady Panthers finished ninth with 10 points. The 2022 CIAA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championship Meet will be held on Friday and Saturday on the campus of Bowie State University. For more information on Lady Panthers softball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.