Media guide
Notes
Men's Statistics
Women's Statistics
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. (April 27, 2011) — Thursday through Saturday, the Lincoln University track and field teams will participate in one of the most highly anticipated events of the year in the 117th running of the Penn Relays.
The squads hope to build off of what they accomplished last week while competing at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the first time.
Aaron Hunter (Sharon Hill, PA/Academy Park) was unmistakably LU's top performer, placing second in the long jump (7.42 meters-a season best) en route to accounting for 14 of the Lions' 26 points. He took fourth in the triple jump and ran the second leg of the 4x400-meter relay.
Hunter, who is currently ranked fourth in Division II in the long jump, qualified for the IC4A Championships held May 13-15 in Princeton, N.J., earlier this season. At the CIAA Championships, the 4x100-meter relay team of Kevin Morgan (Providence, R.I./Hope HS), Andre Wilkinson (St. Michael's, Barbados/William Grady (NY)), Asaad Monroe (Wilmington, DE/Delcastle Technical HS) and Deidre McLeod (Plantation, FL/South Plantation) reached the needed mark by running a season-best 42.19 second-race last Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Lady Lions placed 7th of the 10th schools and in a positive sign heading into this weekend, they were led by the relays.
In the 4x400, Kristina Rembert (Bronx, NY/Cathedral), Taylor Lyons (Oakland, Calif./Holy Names HS), Shannon Spaulding (Stamford, CT/Westhill HS) and Kimberly Nurse (Newark, DE/Hodgson Vo-Tech) logged a stellar time of 4:02.60, nearly four seconds faster than the previous best time offered this season. The 4x100-meter team of Fatima Ross (Philadelphia, Pa./Williamstown HS), Rembert, Lyons and Nurse was also solid, crossing in 50.10 seconds.
Hunter and Rembert are no strangers to first-place finishes this outdoor season each having won three titles. Hunter has been victorious in three long jump competitions, a streak that was snapped at the CIAA Championships with his second-place showing, while Rembert has won three individual 400-meter titles.
Under previous circumstances, the Penn Relays highlighted the Lincoln track and field schedules. The ascension into Division II hasn't necessarily changed much. The competition at Franklin Field represents the stiffest the nation has to offer. But now that Lincoln is a member of an elite conference, the perspective has changed.
The conference championships are the biggest meets of the year, but the Penn Relays is the grandest stage. This weekend, more than 22,000 athletes will descend on Franklin Field while more than 110,000 fans are expected to pack the stands.
Historically, Lincoln has saved its best for this weekend. Hunter, though, is looking to capture his second Penn Relays crown in his final year. Having missed the 2010 Relays, he has the opportunity to defend the Eastern Division title he won in 2009, a year in which he leapt 25 feet, 1.75 inches.
Last year, the men's team won the IC4A Championship in the sprint medley, earning commemorative gold watches. Matthew Coston (Queens, N.Y./Dover HS) and Deidre McLeod (Plantation, FL/South Plantation) with Todd Mason, Kester Lewis (Brooklyn, NY/William Grady (NY)) took the event in 3:23.56.
Last year's 4x400-meter-relay, which included Rembert, ran a 3:45.73 race, .68 off the school record.
Lincoln will also attempt to qualify a relay team to Championship Saturday for the 27th straight year.
Last year, the 4x200-meter relay accomplished the feat.
Below is the list of events that Lincoln will be participating in as well as the times that they are scheduled to be held.
Thursday
Event 159 5:45 PM: College Women's 4x400 Heat
Friday
Event 301 9:00 AM: College Men's 400m Hurdles Championship
Event 343 1:50 PM: College Men's 4x200 Heats
Event 344 2:10 PM: College Women's 4x200 Heats
Event 368 4:40 PM: College Men's 4x400 Heats
Event 620 3:30 PM: College Men's Long Jump Eastern
Event 378 6:20 PM: College Women's Sprint Medley Championship of America
Event 379 6:45 PM: College Men's Sprint Medley Championship of America
Saturday
Event 702 9:00 AM: College Men's Triple Jump Eastern
— LU —
