2002 CUNYAC Outdoor Track & Field Championship

Cardinals Cop Co-Ed Crowns

JAMAICA, NY - Fifteen conference records fell as York College claimed men’s and women’s titles in the seventh annual City University of New York Athletic Conference Championships, held at the Cardinals’ home track. York edged Lehman by a mere three points to claim the women’s crown, 164, to 161, while the Cardinals men easily outdistanced City College of New York, 162 to 129.

Lehman junior Paulette Baldwin won five individual events to earn Outstanding Female Performer honors. She set league senior college marks with victories in the 100m hurdles (14.16) and triple jump (10.74m/35’3”), and also won the 100 meters (12.55), long jump (5.53m/18’1½”), and javelin throw (27.94m/91’8”). She also ran on a pair of relays for the Lightning. “I came preparded this time, because I knew I would do eight events and I didn’t feel too overwhelmed,” said Baldwin, adding “we gave it our best today and I am proud of my MVP award.”

York distance ace Khari White endured a grueling day, winning four distance events to post an incredibly difficult quadruple and earn Outstanding Male Performer honors. He claimed the 800 meters (2:05.55), the 1500 meters senior college division (4:19.05), the 5000 meters (16:53.39), and the 10,000 meters (37:30.93).

Three different women’s competitors set two league meet records each. In addition to Baldwin, Hunter’s Donna Mahoney doubled for victories in the 1500 and 3000 meters, blasting away the 1500m mark by nearly 13 seconds (4:53.43) and smashing the 3000m mark by almost 32 seconds (10:43.91). Lehman’s Danielle Howard tossed the discus 31.66m and the hammer 33.10m to set new league marks. York’s Mariama Davies set a new shot put mark (10.51m/34’5¾”) and CCNY’s Aishea Joseph broke the high jump record (1.56m/5’1¼”). York’s 4x400m relay team, which beat crosstown Division I rival St. John’s in last weekend’s Penn Relays, lowered the previous CUNYAC mark by more than five seconds in 3:54.81.

Both men’s meet relay records went by the wayside. New York City Tech’s 4x100m relay won in 43.08, while York’s 4x400m relay broke its own year-old record in 3:18.41. CCNY’s Dexter Wilson broke the shot put mark with a heave of 12.56m (41’2½”), while Medgar Evers’ Raymion Richards grabbed the long jump mark at 6.59m (21’7½”). New York City Tech’s Chester Williams set a new 200m record in 21.86 seconds, while Cliff Medina became the first CUNYAC pole vault champion by surmounting 2.59m (8’6”).

CUNY Community College-level athletes, competing on a non-scoring basis, also set a pair of meet marks. Maria Haye of Kingsborough CC won the triple jump overall crown with a leap of 10.82m (35’6”), while Juan Mena of Queensborough CC claimed the 1500 meters in 4:11.09. “Khari ran four courageous races today, winning the 1,500 meter race two events after the 10,000 meter race,” said York head coach Tom Pope. “Our guys really stepped up today, winning the mile relay even after having Connel Smith step in as a substitute. I am really proud of them.”

Third place in the women’s division was even more tightly contested than first, Hunter edging Medgar Evers, 93 to 92. Hunter placed third in the men’s division with 120 points, with New York City Tech notching 75 and Medgar Evers 54.

2002-2003 CUNYAC OUTDOOR TRACK YEAR IN REVIEW