Falcons fly to sixth title on strength of prolific jumper
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Kwonya Ferguson of Saint Augustine’s became the first Division II indoor competitor — female or male — to win three titles in the same meet when she captured crowns in the long jump, triple jump and high jump. Her victories helped the Falcons win their sixth team championship. Stephen Nowland/NCAA Photos.
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The NCAA News
In a meet that sparkled with seven event records, Saint Augustine’s junior Kwonya Ferguson posted the most noteworthy achievement of all in leading the Falcons back to the victory stand at the Division II Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships March 9-10 in Boston.
Ferguson became the first woman or man to win three Division II individual indoor championships in a year — posting a record leap of 43 feet, 6 inches, in the triple jump in the process — while also capturing the high and long jumps.
The Falcons, whose 44-point victory margin was the largest at the meet since 1999, easily dethroned defending women’s champion Lincoln (Missouri) in claiming the school’s sixth women’s indoor team title and joined Saint Augustine’s men in sweeping the Division II men’s and women’s team crowns. Saint Augustine’s has won the women’s title every other year since 2001.
The Falcons claimed a record seven event titles in racking up 105 points and became only the second team in meet history to score more than 100 points. Abilene Christian holds the scoring record with 119 points in 1999.
Falcon freshman Barbara Pierre in the 60-meter dash and repeat 60-meter hurdles champion Marquita Davis joined Ferguson in posting record times in their wins, while the Falcons’ Johnsie Liles repeated as titlist in the 400-meter run and also anchored the 1,600-meter relay to victory. Davis, a senior, improved on her year-old record in the hurdles with an 8.44-second run.
The three event records posted by the Falcons came in addition to two records recorded by third-place team finisher Grand Valley State, whose Mandi Zemba posted a new mark in the 5,000-meter run with her 16:16.77 time. She also anchored the Lakers’ record 11:29.89 performance in the distance medley relay. Zemba, who bettered the 5,000 mark by nearly three seconds, added the victory in that event to the two outdoor individual titles she collected last spring.
In other record performances, repeat champion Davita Prendergast of Lincoln improved her own mark in the 200-meter dash with a 23.56-second time, and Katelin Rains of Minnesota State Mankato added a record in the pole vault when she became the first woman in meet history to clear 14 feet.
Rains’ win denied a bid by Abilene Christian’s Angie Aguilar for a repeat victory in the event, but another attempt to repeat succeeded when Pittsburg State’s Venessa Lee claimed her second straight win in the 800-meter run.
Team results
1. St. Augustine’s, 105; 2. Lincoln (Mo.), 64; 3. Grand Valley St., 39½; 4. Abilene Christian, 36; 5. Adams St., 27; 6. SIU Edwardsville, 21; 7. Seattle Pacific, 20; 8. (tie) Ashland and Wis.-Parkside, 19; 10. (tie) Winona St. and Neb.-Omaha, 16; 12. Minn. St. Mankato, 14½; 13. Cal St. L.A., 13; 14. Central Mo., 12; 15. (tie) Bowie St., Ferris St. and Southern Conn. St., 11; 18. (tie) Bemidji St., Mass.-Lowell and Pittsburg St., 10; 21. (tie) Fort Hays St., Mo. Southern St., Minn. Duluth, N.C. Central and Truman, 8; 26. Minn. St.-Moorhead, 6½; 27. (tie) Indianapolis, Slippery Rock, Colorado Mines and Findlay, 6; 31. Emporia St., 5; 32. (tie) Southern Ind. and St. Cloud St., 4; 34. East Stroudsburg, 3½; 35. North Dakota, 3; 36. (tie) Clarion, Wayne St. (Neb.) and Western St., 2; 39. (tie) Saginaw Valley, Lewis, UC-Colo. Spgs. and Ala.-Huntsville, 1.
Individual champions
60-meter dash: Barbara Pierre, St. Augustine’s, 7.41 [meet record; old record 7.43, Shandria Brown, Lincoln (Mo.), 2003].
200-meter dash: Davita Prendergast, Lincoln (Mo.), 23.56 (meet record; old record 24.19, Shami Vanhook, Ashland, 2005).
400-meter dash: Johnsie Liles, St. Augustine’s, 52.94.
800-meter run: Venessa Lee, Pittsburg St., 2:08.77.
Mile run: Jessica Pixler, Seattle Pacific, 4:42.42.
5,000-meter run: Mandi Zemba, Grand Valley St., 16:16.77 (meet record; old record 16:19.59, Janet Kogo, Harding, 2005).
60-meter high hurdles: Marquita Davis, St. Augustine’s, 8.44 (meet record; old record 8.54, Maisha Prewitt, Fort Hays St., 2002).
1,600-meter relay: St. Augustine’s (Aisha George, Erica Young, Treva Hutchinson, Johnsie Liles), 3:40.71.
Distance medley relay: Grand Valley St. (Susie Rivard, Micaela Mayer, Katherine McCarthy, Mandi Zemba) 11:29.89 (meet record; old record 11:32.06, Adams St., 2005).
High jump: Kwonya Ferguson, St. Augustine’s, 1.79 (5-10½).
Pole vault: Katelin Rains, Minn. St. Mankato, 4.27 (14-00) [meet record; old record 4.00 (13½), Amanda Frame, Minn. St. Mankato, 2005].
Long jump: Kwonya Ferguson, St. Augustine’s, 6.18 (20-03½).
Triple jump: Kwonya Ferguson, St. Augustine’s, 13.26 (43-06) [meet record; old record 13.18 (43-3), Diana Wills, Army, 1990].
Shot put: Sheena Devine, Bemidji St., 15.55 (51-00¼).
35-lb. weight throw: Emily King, Winona St., 18.53 (60-09½).
INDIVIDUAL RESULT
60-meter dash: 1. Barbara Pierre, St. Augustine’s, 7.41 [meet record; old record 7.43, Shandria Brown, Lincoln (Mo.), 2003]; 2. Nandelle Cameron, Lincoln (Mo.), 7.53; 3. Jody-Ann Powell, Lincoln (Mo.), 7.53; 4. Karen Robinson, Lincoln (Mo.), 7.57; 5. Elise Johnson, Central Mo., 7.59; 6. Treva Hutchinson, St. Augustine’s, 7.59; 7. Camile Gray, St. Augustine’s, 7.63; 8. Laverne Monger, Neb.-Omaha, 7.68.
200-meter dash: 1. Davita Prendergast, Lincoln (Mo.), 23.56 [meet record; old record 24.19, Shami Vanhook, Ashland, 2005]; 2. Johnsie Liles, St. Augustine’s, 24.05; 3. Molly Belling, Neb.-Omaha, 24.29; 4. Carla Thomas, Lincoln (Mo.), 24.42; 5. Laverne Monger, Neb.-Omaha, 24.45; 6. Jennifer Geter, Bowie St., 24.49; 7. Treva Hutchinson, St. Augustine’s, 24.49; 8. Nandelle Cameron, Lincoln (Mo.), 24.69.
400-meter dash: 1. Johnsie Liles, St. Augustine’s, 52.94; 2. Davita Prendergast, Lincoln (Mo.), 53.85; 3. Erica Young, St. Augustine’s, 54.75; 4. Keva Wilkins, Abilene Christian, 55.50; 5. Jennifer Geter, Bowie St., 55.68; 6. Meleshia Spencer, Lincoln (Mo.), 56.01; 7. Juliet Alrich, SIU Edwardsville, 56.18; 8. Azraa Rounds, Abilene Christian, 56.19.
800-meter run: 1. Venessa Lee, Pittsburg St., 2:08.77; 2. Liz Palkie, Minn. Duluth, 2:10.72; 3. Mary Mwangi, Abilene Christian, 2:12.37; 4. Jessica Lamp, Wis.-Parkside, 2:12.66; 5. Denise Morgan, Abilene Christian, 2:12.83; 6. Heidi Evans, North Dakota, 2:12.86; 7. Laura Knapp, Adams St., 2:14.01; 8. Terran Wertz, Lewis, 2:14.03;
Mile run: 1. Jessica Pixler, Seattle Pacific, 4:42.42; 2. Naomi Fulton, Wis.-Parkside, 4:47.40; 3. Heather Beresford, Colorado Mines, 4:47.86; 4. Jonel Rossbach, Emporia St., 4:50.65; 5. Karin Rohde, Seattle Pacific, 4:54.38; 6. Susie Rivard, Grand Valley St., 4:54.80; 7. Tanya Gaurmer, Adams St., 4:54.85; 8. Karla Alburez, Cal St. L.A., 4:55.29.
5,000-meter run: 1. Mandi Zemba, Grand Valley St., 16:16.77 [meet record; old record 16:19.59, Janet Kogo, Harding, 2005]; 2. Nicole Plante, Mass.-Lowell 16:57.48; 3. Brittany Somers, Adams St., 17:04.09; 4. Lavenna Mullenbach, Adams St., 17:06.00; 5. Allie Shafer, Southern Ind., 17:09.34; 6. Stacey Kandas, Grand Valley St., 17:10.73; 7. Erin Richard, Clarion, 17:11.49; 8. Sarah Shepard, UC-Colo. Spgs., 17:11.56.
60-meter high hurdles: 1. Marquita Davis, St. Augustine’s, 8.44 [meet record; old record 8.54, Maisha Prewitt, Fort Hays St., 2002]; 2. Carla Thomas, Lincoln (Mo.), 8.49; 3. Andi Rose, Slippery Rock, 8.60; 4. Chelsea Luck, Central Mo., 8.79; 5. Amber Miller, Ashland, 8.82; 6. Jamilah St. Cyr, Cal St. L.A., 8.87; 7. Valerie Simmons, SIU Edwardsville, 8.92; 8. Shana Levett, Ala.-Huntsville, 9.23.
1,600-meter relay: 1. St. Augustine’s (Aisha George, Erica Young, Treva Hutchinson, Johnsie Liles), 3:40.71; 2. SIU Edwardsville, 3:42.55; 3. Abilene Christian, 3:43.17; 4. Neb.-Omaha, 3:43.37; 5. Lincoln (Mo.), 3:44.07; 6. Findlay, 3:45.93; 7. Bowie St., 3:47.65; 8. Minn. St. Mankato, 3:49.82.
Distance medley relay: 1. Grand Valley St. (Susie Rivard, Micaela Mayer, Katherine McCarthy, Mandi Zemba) 11:29.89 [meet record; old record 11:32.06, Adams St. {Victoria Martinez, Nicole Goosby, Tanya Gaurmer, Virginia Coindreau}, 2005]. 2. Adams St., 11:41.84; 3. Wis.-Parkside, 11:48.18; 4. Lincoln (Mo.), 11:48.64; 5. Abilene Christian, 11:52.35; 6. Findlay, 11:58.50; 7. Mass.-Lowell, 11:58.78; 8. Seattle Pacific, 12:04.77.
High jump: 1. Kwonya Ferguson, St. Augustine’s, 1.79 (5-10 1/2); 2. Amanda Poore, Fort Hays St., 1.76 (5-09 1/4); 3. Lakischa Fontenot, St. Augustine’s, 1.76 (5-09 1/4); 4. Teona Perkins, Seattle Pacific, 1.73 (5-08); 5. (tie) Leslie Martin, East Stroudsburg, and Kali Erlandson, Minn. St. Mankato, 1.73 (5-08); 7. Tanna Walford, Wayne St. (Neb.), 1.73 (5-08); 8. Maegan Doyen, Grand Valley St., 1.73 (5-08).
Pole vault: 1. Katelin Rains, Minn. St. Mankato, 4.27 (14-00) [meet record; old record 4.00 {13 1/2}, Amanda Frame, Minn. St. Mankato, 2005]; 2. Angie Aguilar, Abilene Christian, 3.88 (12-08 3/4); 3. Bria Magnuson, Winona St., 3.88 (12-08 3/4); 4. Rachel Duthler, Grand Valley St., 3.88 (12-08 3/4); 5. Brooke Wiedrich, Minn. St. Moorhead, 3.88 (12-08 3/4); 6. (tie) Lindsey Jones, Grand Valley St., and Jennifer Hensel, Minn. St. Moorhead, 3.78 (12-04 3/4); 8. Elizabeth Buyse, Abilene Christian, 3.68 (12-00 3/4).
Long jump: 1. Kwonya Ferguson, St. Augustine’s, 6.18 (20-03 1/2); 2. Treva Hutchinson, St. Augustine’s, 6.04 (19-09 3/4); 3. Merlene Egbert, Southern Conn. St., 5.86 (19-02 3/4); 4. Omonike Kotey, Cal St. L.A., 5.75 (18-10 1/2); 5. TiaNiecia Mosley, Adams St., 5.74 (18-10); 6. JoAnne Douglas, Ashland, 5.66 (18-07); 7. Domonique Bingham, Western St., 5.57 (18-03 1/4); 8. Jennifer Picucci, Ashland, 5.54 (18-02 1/4).
Triple jump: 1. Kwonya Ferguson, St. Augustine’s, 13.26 (43-06) [meet record; old record 13.18 {43-3}, Diana Wills, Army, 1990]; 2. Jessica Mills, N.C. Central, 12.59 (41-03 3/4); 3. Christine Butler, SIU Edwardsville, 12.50 (41-00 1/4); 4. Merlene Egbert, Southern Conn. St., 12.37 (40-07); 5. Syntia Fargeau, Cal St. L.A., 12.00 (39-04 1/2); 6. Brittanie Roldan, Central Mo., 11.97 (39-03 1/4); 7. Kiera Watson, Bowie St., 11.90 (39-00 1/2); 8. Kerry-Ann Robinson, Lincoln (Mo.), 11.84 (38-10 1/4).
Shot put: 1. Sheena Devine, Bemidji St., 15.55 (51-00 1/4); 2. Jessica Selby, Mo. Southern St., 15.41 (50-06 3/4); 3. Andrea Horban, Indianapolis, 14.85 (48-08 3/4); 4. Jennifer Tinney, Ashland, 14.37 (47-01 3/4); 5. Amanda Kunkel, St. Cloud St., 14.26 (46-09 1/2); 6. Kamitra Carroll, Ferris St., 14.16 (46-05 1/2); 7. Bridgette Carpenter, Truman St., 13.85 (45-05 1/4); 8. Kellie Clements, Abilene Christian, 13.80 (45-03 1/2).
35-lb. weight throw: 1. Emily King, Winona St., 18.53 (60-09 1/2); 2. Kamitra Carroll, Ferris St., 18.08 (59-04); 3. Ashley Colon, Truman, 17.89 (58-08 1/2); 4. Kathie Posa, Grand Valley St., 17.85 (58-06 3/4); 5. Michelle Stark, Ashland, 17.76 (58-03 1/4); 6. Callie Glover, SIU Edwardsville, 17.43 (57-02 1/4); 7. Jennifer Tinney, Ashland, 17.31 (56-09 1/2); 8. Ashley Bishop, Saginaw Valley, 17.27 (56-08).