COLUMBIA, S.C. – Bethune-Cookman University's Monae Nichols leaped back into the national elite Saturday with her long jump of 21' 1 ½" at the USC Indoor Open in the final regular season meet of the indoor track season.

Not only did Nichols establish herself as the event top seed for this weekend's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field and Championships, she moved up to seventh in the nation with her career best. The top 16 results advance to the NCAA National Championship meet.

Garbrielle Collins also delivered in the event with her PT – 19'8 ¼" and will be seeded second at the MEAC.

On the Men's side, Carlin Berryhill (4:13.59 in the mile) and Curtis Thomas (6.74 in the 60) improved their MEAC seedings to second and third, respectively.

Other top results from the weekend:
*My'Khiyah Williams, 5' 6 ½"  in the high jump (Sixth in the MEAC).
*Sidney Holston, 46' 5 ½" in the shot put (10^th).
* Kimilya Egalite, 42' 9" in the shot put (9^th).
* Christine McNeal, 39' 8 ¾ in the triple jump (8^th).

"It was an outstanding way to end the regular season as we prepare for our conference championships," said Head Coach Donald Cooper. "Nichols set the tone for us with her outstanding performance, catapulting herself back into national contention.

"We added more qualifiers on the men with Mario Watson making the standard in the 400m and Sidney Holston in the weight throw," Cooper added. "The rest of the team looks sharp as we go to battle with less as far as numbers this year but with quality.  Looking forward to a great meet."

The MEAC Indoor Track and Field Championships begin Thursday in Landover, Md.