Lincoln Men Share D3 Track Title with North Central; LU Women Win Second Straight Crown

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Lincoln (PA) University headed into the final event of the NCAA Division III OutdoorTrack and Field Championships - the 4x400-meter relay - needing only one point to break a tie withNorth Central College and win their second consecutive men's track championship.

In a very uniquesituation, that one point would not be awarded for a last place finish in the event because of a ninth teamcompeting as a result of protests from the heats. The Lions headed down the stretch battling for the leadwhen their anchor suffered an injury that dropped the squad to ninth place and created a tie for Lincolnand the host Cardinals on May 27 in Naperville, Illinois. The two schools finished with 52 points tobecome the first two teams to tie for the championship in NCAA Division III outdoor track history.

"I live and die by Murphy's Law," admitted Lincoln head coach Cyrus Jones. "If anything can happen itwill. Certainly today was a bizarre ending, but being co-champions with North Central is an honor. Noone else deserves to be co-champions more than North Central."

While the Lions won their second consecutive outdoor championship, the Cardinals returned into thenational spotlight by re-capturing the title after giving up their crown last year. Propelling the Cardinalswas two national championships by seniors Colin Young in the 10,000 (30:27.01) and Tim McCoskey inthe 1500 (3:51.12).

"Lincoln is an incredible, outstanding team and is very deserving of a national championship," said NorthCentral head coach Al Carius. "For us this is a tremendous accomplishment. We felt in January thatsomething special was happening with this team. We just grew and bonded together and it all culminatedright here."

Lincoln headed into the final day of the meet with no points scored and hopes for a title fading. However,championships by freshman Chaz Clemons in the 100 (10.47), junior Dayne Ross in the 200 (21.13) andthe 4x400 relay (3:10.63) handed the Lions their share of the championship.

Central College (Iowa) finished third with 38 points, as University of Wisconsin La Crosse (34.5) andUniversity of Wisconsin Oshkosh (33) rounded out the top five.

Lady Lions Win Second Straight Crown

Lincoln won the championship with 65 points, pacing themselves 15 points ahead of runner-upChristopher Newport University (50). The Lions won on the strength of five event championships, withan amazing four won by sophomore Rhondale Jones. The "Athlete of the Meet" won the 100 (11.89), 200(24.10), 100 high hurdles (13.92) and was the anchor for the 4x100 relay team (46.87).

"Rhondale Jones is a top-of-the line athlete," said head coach Cyrus Jones. "However, without the help ofall seven women, this could not have been done. It all came together today."Also claiming a national championship was junior Zanora Berry in the 400 hurdles (59.49).

Christopher Newport University finished second with 50 points, Wheaton College (Ma.) took third with48.5, and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (37) and Calvin College (30) rounded out the top five.

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