Landover, Md. -
The 2nd Annual Historically Black College Invitational Track & Field
Meet will be underway on February 7-8, 2004 at the Wayne K.
Curry Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Md. Yesterday’s
unknowns will be tomorrows heroes as records will be smashed.
The first event is scheduled for 11:00AM, Saturday, February 7th. The cost
of admission at the door is $10 for adults and $5 for students age 12 and under
and senior citizens. A two-day pass is $15. Ticket inquiries; contact Barbara
Smith 301-621-9041 or Doc Burke at 301-952-9128. This is a family affair and
come early and stays late.
Last year, over 15 Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs)
descended upon the Wayne Curry Sports & Learning Complex in Landover, Maryland,
to compete in the Inaugural Historically Black College Invitational.
This competition was conceived to showcase the track & field talent of
the nation’s
HBCUs. While HBCU track possesses a rich, historical legacy; most people are
unaware of that legacy especially when that legacy continues to produce athletes
and coaches who go on to represent the United States at international track & field
competitions.
During the first edition of the meet, five Olympic coaches--William Moultrie
(formerly of Howard University), Laverne Sweat (Norfolk State University),
Ed Temple (formerly of Tennessee State University), Dr. Leroy T. Walker (formerly
of North Carolina Central University), and George Williams (Saint Augustine’s
College) were recognized for their contributions to the overall well-being
of HBCU student-athletes and to the sport of track & field.
After the honors were rendered, the national anthems (both the “Star-Spangled
Banner” and “The Negro National Anthem”) sung, the meet began.
The competition was fierce and each race was thrilling to the fans gathered
to see the athletes compete. After the meet was over, fans went away commenting
on the fantastic competition witnessed. Even better, a number of athletes emerged
from this meet further strengthening the HBCU track & field legacy.
Included in the spotlight, 1989 Alabama A&M graduate, Jearl Miles-Clark,
career 1996 and 2000 Olympic gold medallist (4x400); '92 Olympic silver medallist
(4x400); '93 World 400m champion; '97 World Indoor 400m champion; '93 & '95
World Outdoor Championships gold medallist (4x400); '97, '99 World Outdoor
Champs silver medallist (4x400); 4-time U.S. Outdoor 400m champion ('93, '95,
'97, '02); 1998, '99, '03 U.S. Outdoor 800m champion; 2001 U.S. Indoor 800m
champ; 1992 World Cup 400m champion; two-time World Championship 400m bronze
medallist ('95, '97).
Tiffany Barnes (Delaware State University and winner of the women’s 400-meter
dash) went on to compete at the 2003 USA Track & Field (USATF) Indoor National
Championships in Boston, Massachusetts where she finished second behind U.S.
ranked 400-meter runner Monique Hennegan. Barnes’ efforts enabled her
to qualify for the U.S. National Team being sent to the 2003 World Indoor Track & Field
Championships being held in Birmingham, England. Barnes competed in both the
400-meter dash and 4 x 400 meter relay.
Brian Johnson (an indoor/outdoor All-American performer for Southern University-Baton
Rouge) was the winner of the men’s long jump. He went to win the long
jump at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Johnson’s win enabled him to join Theron Lewis and the renowned Rod Milburn
(1972 Olympic Champion at 110 meter hurdles) as indoor national champions for
Southern University-Baton Rouge.
Several participants from the Inaugural HBC Invitational went on to fame
during the outdoor track & field season: Chloe Davis (winner of the women’s
60 meter hurdles) went on to represent Hampton University at the NCAA Division
I Track & Field Championships (held in Sacramento, California) in the women’s
400 meter hurdles; David Oliver (winner of the men’s 60 meter hurdles)
finished fourth at the NCAA Championships to become Howard University’s
first All-American performer in 15 years; Darryl Reeves of South Carolina State
(a long jump participant) finished eighth at the NCAAs to garner All-American
honors; Jerome Mathis (Hampton University and winner of the men’s 200
meters) was the NCAA runner-up in the 200 meter dash; and Chaz Clemons (men’s
60 meter dash winner) won his fourth NCAA Division III title in the 100 meter
dash for Lincoln University (Pennsylvania).
All of these performers (with the exception of Barnes, Clemons, and Johnson
who have since graduated) will be returning to the 2004 edition to make their
presence felt. In addition, the 2nd Annual HBC Invitational has attracted more
HBCUs. Meet officials indicate that over 30 teams will be in attendance, ready
to put it all on the line, and settle the score once and for all, which HBCU
has the best track & field program. NCAA Division I, II, III or NAIA affiliations
won’t matter. Each program will do its best to shine and secure the bragging
rights of “who da man (or woman)” until 2005.
Why stop? Maisha Pinkard who finished second behind Miles-Clark at the Penn
State Invitational (Jan. 31), it was 1:08.71 to 1:12.22. Kellie Wells at the
Penn State Invitational placed first in the qualifying round of the 60 Meter
Hurdles in 8:46 and took the finals in 8.34. Jordan Vaden of Livingstone College
(who has one of the fastest 200 meter times in the country among HBCU athletes
at 21.53).
The coaches will include Hampton’s men’s and women’s, David “Spiderman” Boyd
and Maurice Pierce; Mike Merritt of Howard. The teammates from the 1984 Olympics,
Chandra Cheeseborough (Tennessee State) and Walter McCoy (Cookman).
