Saint Augustine’s dethroned seven-time defending champion Abilene Christian on Saturday at the Division II Men’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships, beating the Wildcats convincingly in the meet-ending 1,600-meter relay to claim an eight-point victory.

The title was Saint Augustine’s 10th outdoors but first since 2001. The win completed a Falcon sweep of this year’s indoor and outdoor titles.

Abilene Christian and Saint Augustine’s, the only teams that have won the team competition since Cal Poly’s victory in 1981, entered the final relay tied with 84 points each. But the Falcons won the event while the Wildcats finished seventh, deciding a closely fought three-day competition between the old rivals.

The two schools generally have dominated decades. Abilene Christian won the first seven of its record 18 outdoor championships from 1982 to 1988, while the Falcons won their first seven championships from 1989 to 1995. The Wildcats then won four of the next six years.

Even with all that history, Saint Augustine’s coach George Williams said this one sticks out.

“This is one of the most amazing championships that we’ve won,” he said. “We didn’t have a track and the talent pool wasn’t there like in the past, but everything paid off.”

Saint Augustine’s is building the new George Williams Athletics Complex, honoring the coach who has tutored Olympians and also is credited with leading teams to 11 Division II indoor team championships. The facility, however, is being built on top of the Falcons’ on-campus track, leaving the squad without a place to practice.

The team obviously wasn’t daunted this year by that hurdle, and while it had less depth than in the past, it still had high-quality talent.

Senior Joe Kindred contributed 24 of the Falcons’ 94 points by winning his second straight outdoor high jump title and placing second in the triple jump and third in the long jump.

Less-familiar names also played key roles, as senior Alvin Miles stepped in at the last minute to run the decisive 1,600-meter relay. He replaced an injured Josh Scott, who already had won the 400-meter dash and finished third in the 200 meters to follow up his sweep of those events at the Division II indoor championships in March.

Miles also posted a runner-up finish in the 400-meter hurdles, and the Falcons got key performances from freshman Chris Copeland, who took third in the high jump, and sophomore Ramon Gittens, who was second in the 100-meter dash.

All together, it was enough to offset an Abilene Christian effort that included Camille Vandendreissche’s third straight decathlon victory and wins by Ramon Sparks in the triple jump and Nick Jones’s successful defense of his discus crown.

 “We put ourselves in position to win, but just couldn’t get it done,” said Abilene Christian coach Don D. Hood, who fell short of leading the Wildcats to victory for the first time in four years since succeeding Jon Murray in the post. 

“But that says a lot about the kids at Saint Augustine’s. They fought hard and were able to get the lead late and hang on. Like I said, it was great competition, but, man, I hate to lose.”

Vandendriessche not only became the first to win three straight Division II decathlons but also became the only the third student-athlete in any division to accomplish the feat and fourth to claim three multi-event titles in a career.

The meet yielded no new records, but it did produce a double titlist in the distance races when Harding’s Daniel Kirwa swept the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races. It was the sophomore’s second straight outdoor win at the longer distance.

Team results

1. St. Augustine's, 94; 2. Abilene Christian, 86; 3. Adams St., 75; 4. Lincoln (Mo.), 53; 5. Central Mo., 30; 6. (tie) Pittsburg St. and Ashland, 29; 8. Angelo St., 27; 9. Cal St. Chico, 24 1/2; 10. (tie) Western St. and Fort Valley St., 23; 12. Grand Valley St., 22; 13. Harding, 20; 14. Alas. Anchorage, 19; 15. Indiana (Pa.), 16; 16. (tie) Northwest Nazarene, Metro St. and Johnson C. Smith, 14; 19. Northwest Mo. St., 13; 20. (tie) Emporia St. and Missouri S&T, 11; 22 (tie) Queens (N.C.), Albany St. (Ga.), P.R.-Mayaguez and Cal St. Stanislaus, 10; 26. (tie) Colorado Mines and P.R.-Rio Piedras, 9; 28. Shippensburg, 8; 29. (tie) Findlay and Tarleton St., 7; 31. (tie) Hillsdale, Neb.-Kearney, Indianapolis and Mass.-Lowell, 6; 35. Saginaw Valley, 5 1/2; 36. (tie) UNC Pembroke, Bemidji St., Wayne St. (Neb.), Northwood and Morehouse, 5; 41. (tie) Cal St. L.A., Southwest Baptist, Virginia St., Slippery Rock and Mo. Southern St., 4; 46. (tie) Bowie St., Fort Hays St. and East Stroudsburg, 3; 49. (tie) Cal Poly Pomona, Humboldt St., California (Pa.) and Tex. A&M-Commerce, 2; 53. North Ga., 1.

Individual champions

100-meter dash: Kawayne Fisher, Lincoln (Mo.), 10.15.

200-meter dash: Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley St., 20.63.

400-meter dash: Josh Scott, St. Augustine's, 45.41.

800-meter run: Anthony Luna, Metro St., 1:49.26.

1,500-meter run: Michael Crouch, Queens (N.C.), 3:49.83.

3,000-meter steeplechase: Reuben Chebon-Mwei, Adams St., 8:47.10.

5,000-meter run: Daniel Kirwa, Harding, 14:17.45.

10,000-meter run: Daniel Kirwa, Harding, 29:46.84.

110-meter high hurdles: Ronnie McGirt, Albany St. (Ga.), 13.69.

400-meter intermediate hurdles: Josh Streeter, Adams St., 51.66.

400-meter relay: Lincoln (Mo.) (Kawayne Fisher, Gavin Terrelong, Dwain Bryden, Kimour Bruce), 39.29.

1,600-meter relay: St. Augustine's (Alvin Miles, Randy Curry, Antonio Abney, Rashaud Johnston), 3:06.90.

High jump: Joe Kindred, St. Augustine's, 2.19 (7-2 1/4).

Pole vault: Kasey Burlingham, Cal St. Stanislaus, 5.40 (17-8 1/2).

Long jump: Nafee Harris, Indiana (Pa.), 7.97 (26-1 3/4).

Triple jump: Ramon Sparks, Abilene Christian, 15.97 (52-4 3/4).

Shot put: Kurt Roberts, Ashland, 18.78 (61-7 1/2).

Discus throw: Nick Jones, Abilene Christian, 55.51 (182-1).

Hammer throw: Drew Frizzell, Central Mo., 66.88 (219-5).

Javelin throw: Felipe Ortiz, P.R.-Mayaguez, 68.94 (226-2).

Decathlon: Camille Vandendriessche, Abilene Christian, 7,674 points.

Individual results

100-meter dash: 1. Kawayne Fisher, Lincoln (Mo.), 10.15; 2. Ramon Gittens, St. Augustine's, 10.18; 3. Kimour Bruce, Lincoln (Mo.), 10.27; 4. Yavid Zackey, P.R.-Rio Piedras, 10.30; 5. Gavin Terrelong, Lincoln (Mo.), 10.43; 6. Bryan Haynes, Fort Hays St., 10.47; 7. Jonathan Willaims, Cal Poly Pomona, 10.48; 8. Jeffery Mosley, Fort Valley St., 10.48.

200-meter dash: 1. Ricardo Lockette, Fort Valley St., 20.63; 2. Leford Green, Johnson C. Smith, 20.66; 3. Josh Scott, St. Augustine's, 20.66; 4. Ramon Gittens, St. Augustine's, 20.84; 5. Yavid Zackey, P.R.-Rio Piedras, 20.97; 6. Kawayne Fisher, Lincoln (Mo.), 21.03; 7. Sam Williams, Emporia St., 21.11; 8. Richard Boone, St. Augustine's, 21.16.

400-meter dash: 1. Josh Scott, St. Augustine's, 45.41; 2. Dane Hyatt, Lincoln (Mo.), 45.77; 3. Leford Green, Johnson C. Smith, 46.26; 4. Jordan Johnson, Abilene Christian, 46.45; 5. Kevin Raymond, Indiana (Pa.), 46.77; 6. Doug Caves, Mass.-Lowell, 47.00; 7. James Howell, Angelo St., 47.12; 8. Antonio Abney, St. Augustine's, 47.38.

800-meter run: 1. Anthony Luna, Metro St., 1:49.26; 2. Andrew Graham, Adams St., 1:49.76; 3. Michael Wickman, Cal St. Chico, 1:49.82; 4. Nick Maynard, Colorado Mines, 1:51.16; 5. Shawn Lindbom, Metro St., 1:51.86; 6. Shawn Etzenhouser, Southwest Baptist, 1:51.91; 7. Johnny Shuping, St. Augustine's, 1:52.13; 8. Alan Schmitz, North Ga., 1:52.34.

1,500-meter run: 1. Michael Crouch, Queens (N.C.), 3:49.83; 2. Aaron Braun, Adams St., 3:49.93; 3. Michael Wickman, Cal St. Chico, 3:50.69; 4. Ryan McNiff, Adams St., 3:52.30; 5. Mack McLain, Colorado Mines, 3:53.15; 6. Jared McNeil, Tarleton St., 3:53.62; 7. Mujahid Hassaballa, Pittsburg St., 3:54.07; 8. Michael Pierce, Southwest Baptist, 3:54.26.

3,000-meter steeplechase: 1. Reuben Chebon-Mwei, Adams St., 8:47.10; 2. Daniel Maina, Abilene Christian, 8:52.99; 3. Loren Ahonen, Western St., 9:01.92; 4. Matt Schneider, Wayne St. (Neb.), 9:05.82; 5. Beau Rogers, Cal St. Chico, 9:06.91; 6. Tyler Emmorey, Grand Valley St., 9:10.80; 7. Chris Hammer, Grand Valley St., 9:11.93; 8. David Kiplagat, Alas. Anchorage, 9:12.23.

5,000-meter run: 1. Daniel Kirwa, Harding, 14:17.45; 2. Tyler Pennel, Western St., 14:20.99; 3. Brian Medigovich, Adams St., 14:22.43; 4. Marko Cheseto, Alas. Anchorage, 14:25.82; 5. Reuben Chebon-Mwei, Adams St., 14:27.01; 6. Amos Sang, Abilene Christian, 14:27.32; 7. Aaron Braun, Adams St., 14:27.41; 8. Christopher Clark, California (Pa.), 14:32.45.

10,000-meter run: 1. Daniel Kirwa, Harding, 29:46.84; 2. Brian Medigovich, Adams St., 29:49.31; 3. Amos Sang, Abilene Christian, 29:54.20; 4. Cleophas Tanui, Abilene Christian, 30:00.38; 5. Jeff Weiss, Slippery Rock, 30:16.24; 6. Laban Sialo, Central Mo., 30:20.28; 7. Marko Cheseto, Alas. Anchorage, 30:28.81; 8. Christopher Clark, California (Pa.), 30:50.41.

110-meter high hurdles: 1. Ronnie McGirt, Albany St. (Ga.), 13.69; 2. Andrew McDowell, Abilene Christian, 13.86; 3. Jeremy Jackson, Pittsburg St., 14.07; 4. Tyler Shaw, Northwest Mo. St., 14.11; 5. Garrett Thomas, Tarleton St., 14.13; 6. Phillip Horn, Mo. Southern St., 14.36; 7. Ryan McWilliams, Angelo St., 14.40; 8. Allen Osborn, Neb.-Kearney, 14.41.

400-meter intermediate hurdles: 1. Josh Streeter, Adams St., 51.66; 2. Alvin Miles, St. Augustine's, 51.89; 3. Dallas Beaty, Northwest Nazarene, 52.05; 4. Jeremy Jones, Angelo St., 52.60; 5. Karym Greaves, St. Augustine's, 52.71; 6. Shaun Ward, Alas. Anchorage, 52.87; 7. Vincent Howze, Emporia St., 53.18; 8. Bill Makela, Grand Valley St., 53.77.

400-meter relay: 1. Lincoln (Mo.) (Kawayne Fisher, Gavin Terrelong, Dwain Bryden, Kimour Bruce), 39.29; 2. St. Augustine's, 39.32; 3. Fort Valley St., 40.07; 4. Abilene Christian, 40.43; 5. Emporia St., 40.74; 6. Central Mo., 40.79; 7. Ashland, 40.85; 8. Indiana (Pa.), 41.76.

1,600-meter relay: 1. St. Augustine's (Alvin Miles, Randy Curry, Antonio Abney, Rashaud Johnston), 3:06.90; 2. Lincoln (Mo.), 3:08.22; 3. Fort Valley St., 3:08.41; 4. Angelo St., 3:10.86; 5. Ashland, 3:11.30; 6. Mass.-Lowell, 3:12.07; 7. Abilene Christian, 3:16.13; 8. Central Mo., 3:20.60.

High jump: 1. Joe Kindred, St. Augustine's, 2.19 (7-2 1/4); 2. Oliver Harsanyi, Western St., 2.16 (7-1); 3. Chris Copeland, St. Augustine's, 2.13 (6-11 3/4); 4. (tie) Eltaro Hooper, Saginaw Valley, and Ryan Bertucci, Cal St. Chico, 2.10 (6-10 3/4); 6. Aaron Johnson, Bowie St., 2.10 (6-10 3/4); 7. Cory Vales, Findlay, 2.10 (6-10 3/4); 8. Andrew Batula, Shippensburg, 2.07 (6-9 1/2).

Pole vault: 1. Kasey Burlingham, Cal St. Stanislaus, 5.40 (17-8 1/2); 2. Bryant Wilson, Grand Valley St., 5.30 (17-4 1/2); 3. Stephen Toler, Abilene Christian, 5.20 (17-0 3/4); 4. Peter Hollenbeck, Missouri S&T, 5.20 (17-0 3/4); 5. (tie) Landon Ehlers, Abilene Christian; Dan Tierney, Ashland; and Jordan Henry, Missouri S&T, 5.20 (17-0 3/4); 8. (tie) Aaron Cantrell, Abilene Christian, and Cory Altenberg, Abilene Christian, 5.00 (16-4 3/4).

Long jump: 1. Nafee Harris, Indiana (Pa.), 7.97 (26-1 3/4); 2. David Registe, Alas. Anchorage, 7.91 (25-11 1/2); 3. Joe Kindred, St. Augustine's, 7.79 (25-6 3/4); 4. Cortez Allison, UNC Pembroke, 7.57 (24-10); 5. Gerald Bascoe, Lincoln (Mo.), 7.52 (24-8 1/4); 6. Eric Moore, Central Mo., 7.38 (24-2 1/2); 7. Ramon Sparks, Abilene Christian, 7.36 (24-1 3/4); 8. Paris Gooch, Northwood (Mich.), 7.26 (23-10).

Triple jump: 1. Ramon Sparks, Abilene Christian, 15.97 (52-4 3/4); 2. Joe Kindred, St. Augustine's, 15.72 (51-7); 3. Kiara Jones, Pittsburg St., 15.35 (50-4 1/2); 4. Barry Batson, Morehouse, 15.26 (50-0 3/4); 5. Dwan Jackson, Virginia St., 15.11 (49-7); 6. Josh Honeycutt, Emporia St., 14.99 (49-2 1/4); 7. Lyndon Wyse, Tex. A&M-Commerce, 14.94 (49-0 1/4); 8. Brandon Quarles, St. Augustine's, 14.80 (48-6 3/4).

Shot put: 1. Kurt Roberts, Ashland, 18.78 (61-7 1/2); 2. Ben McKim, Northwest Mo. St., 17.91 (58-9 1/4); 3. Brian Allen, Pittsburg St., 17.77 (58-3 3/4); 4. Matt Gersick, Adams St., 17.71 (58-1 1/4); 5. Matt Jarvis, Cal St. Chico, 17.70 (58-01); 6. Drew Frizzell, Central Mo., 17.32 (56-10); 7. Nick Jones, Abilene Christian, 17.18 (56-4 1/2); 8. Jaban Moore, Central Mo., 17.07 (56-00).

Discus throw: 1. Nick Jones, Abilene Christian, 55.51 (182-1); 2. Aleksas Abromavicius, Grand Valley St., 54.51 (178-10); 3. Drew Frizzell, Central Mo., 51.21 (168-0); 4. Drew Onnen, Neb.-Kearney, 49.88 (163-8); 5. Craig Borsenik, Northwood (Mich.), 49.76 (163-3); 6. Matt Gersick, Adams St., 48.39 (158-9); 7. Cory Meuleman, Ashland, 47.70 (156-6); 8. Ryan Walstrom, Western St., 47.57 (156-1).

Hammer throw: 1. Drew Frizzell, Central Mo., 66.88 (219-5); 2. Ryan Loughney, Ashland, 64.97 (213-2); 3. Aaron Falk, Hillsdale, 63.85 (209-6); 4. James Eric, Findlay, 62.84 (206-2); 5. Brian Allen, Pittsburg St., 62.29 (204-4); 6. Paul Wagner, East Stroudsburg, 59.96 (196-9); 7. Willie Little, Indianapolis, 59.04 (193-8); 8. Josh Koglin, Saginaw Valley, 58.62 (192-4).

Javelin throw: 1. Felipe Ortiz, P.R.-Mayaguez, 68.94 (226-2); 2. Josh Heidegger, Northwest Nazarene, 68.02 (223-2); 3. Josh Hostetler, Shippensburg, 64.53 (211-8); 4. Michael Beeler, Pittsburg St., 62.05 (203-7); 5. Galloway Seth, Indianapolis, 61.13 (200-7); 6. Heath Groom, Missouri S&T, 61.04 (200-3); 7. Tyler Orlando, Angelo St., 60.19 (197-6); 8. Glenn Bell, Shippensburg, 59.95 (196-8).

Decathalon: 1. Camille Vandendriessche, Abilene Christian, 7,674 points; 2. Ryan McWilliams, Angelo St., 7,297; 3. Wayne Durham, Adams St., 7,086; 4. Zac Preble, Bemidji St., 7,085; 5. Josh Linker, Cal St. L.A., 6,993; 6. Chase Moore, Angelo St., 6,864; 7. Brian Belue, Humboldt St., 6,774; 8. Phillip Horn, Mo. Southern St., 6,756.