JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Wildcat Track & Field team traveled up the coast this weekend to compete in the University of North Florida Invitational Challenge in Jacksonville. Operating with a limited squad, the team performed well, particularly in the field events. The Wildcats came away with two first-place finishes and three seconds, among other top performances.
Leading the Wildcat men, Craig Johnson earned two top finishes in the throwing events. Johnson finished first in the Discus Throw with a distance of 44.79m, (146-11 ft.). Johnson also snagged another gold in the Shot Put, tossing 13.98m, (45-10.50 ft.)
Also performing well, Kenson Nicholas added solid performances in the pit. Nicholas finished fifth in the Triple Jump with a distance of 13.66m (44-09.75 ft.), and sixth in the Long Jump, leaping a distance of 6.25m (20-06.25 ft.).
DJ Howard came in third in the 110m Hurdles, finishing in a time of 14.38 seconds.
The Wildcats had several competitors in the 200m Dash. Leading the way, Chris Herring finished fourth in a time of 21.97 seconds. Next up, Demetrius Douglas-Davis came in sixth in 22.22. Also in the 200m for B-CU, Marcell Keeling finished eighth (22.33), Derrick Collins finished thirteenth (22.56).
Another big event for Bethune-Cookman, five Wildcats competed in the 400m Dash. Finishing fourth was Marcell Keeling, in a time of 49.06. Up next for B-CU were Chris Herring (10th, 51.20) and Derrick Collins (12th, 51.63).
Several Lady Wildcats performed well for the women's squad. Rockel Mitchell finished second in the Long Jump with a distance of 5.63m (18-05.75 ft.). Maketa Ruffin also placed second in the Discus Throw with a distance of 40.55m (133-00 ft.). The final top finisher for the Wildcat women was Chrystal Barge, finishing second in the 400m Hurdles with a time of 59.85 seconds.
Another top finisher for B-CU, Analisa Austin finished third in the Triple Jump, leaping a distance of 10.91m (35-09.50 ft.).
In the sprint events, Lashodra Wilbon topped B-CU, finishing seventh in the 400m Dash, coming in at a time of 58.78 seconds. In the 100m Dash, Rockel Mitchell came in eighth with a time of 12.64.
The Wildcats return to competition for a major meet next weekend as the team travels to Philadelphia, Penn. for the Penn Relays, April 23-25.
###
