Frierson pushes VCU to first title in 10 years
Junior James Frierson (Richmond/Highland Springs High School) led Virginia Commonwealth University to its first Colonial Athletic Association Championship since 1996, earning four gold medals and one silver on Saturday at SportsBackers Stadium.
Depsite Frierson’s efforts, the meet was not decided until the final event when junior Davion Lambert (Richmond/Varina High School) snatched first place in the high jump, securing the triumph.
Junior James Frierson (Richmond/Highland Springs High School) led Virginia Commonwealth University to its first Colonial Athletic Association Championship since 1996, earning four gold medals and one silver on Saturday at SportsBackers Stadium.
Depsite Frierson’s efforts, the meet was not decided until the final event when junior Davion Lambert (Richmond/Varina High School) snatched first place in the high jump, securing the triumph.
Final Standings
Men
1. VCU 181
2. UNC Wilmington 172
3. William and Mary 158
4. Northeastern 111.5
5. George Mason 83
6. Delaware 66
7. James Madison 31.5
Women
1. William and Mary 174.50
2. Northeastern 129.50
3. UNC Wilmington
4. James Madison 112
5. George Mason 75.50
6. Georgia State 74
7. VCU 53
8. Delaware 41
9. Towson 37
Frierson’s achievements include top finishes in the 100, 200 and 400 meters, as well as the 400-meter relay. The sprinter was also a member of the Rams’ second-place 1,600 relay team. Frierson, who competed in the long jump for the first time in his collegiate career on Friday, accounted for 51 of the Rams’ 181 total points.
Soggy conditions did little to slow the Rams down. Sophomore Jackie Deshazo (Mechanicsville/Atlee High School) earned the bronze medal after a mark of 11.07 seconds.
In the 200, the trio of Frierson and Deshazo and Jason Gallo (Rohcester, N.Y.) finished first, third and fourth respectively. In the 400, Frierson and Deshazo grabbed 15 crucial points for the Rams. Frierson won the event, while Deshazo took fourth.
Junior Mariusz Mostrag (Krajnik, Poland) took home the gold in the 800, and Lukasz Matusiewicz (Warsaw, Poland) claimed the silver medal.
In the field events, Lambert earned his third-consecutive CAA title in the long jump. The junior picked up where he left off on Friday, grabbing the gold in the high jump and bronze in the triple jump.
Kyle Miller (Front Royal/ Warren County High School), withstood two days of rainy weather turned in a gutsy performance and earned the silver medal with 6,124 points.
All athletes who won their respective events qualified for the NCAA Regionals, which will be held May 26-27 in Greensboro, N.C. The Rams return to action this weekend at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia, Pa.
The women’s team did not enjoy the same success as their male counterparts, but senior Tanika Brown (Powhatan High School) ended her career by claiming a second successive conference high-jump crown. The Rams finished in seventh place.
Nikki Arrington (Midlothian High School) was a bronze medalist in the discus.
– Compiled from CT resources