Track & Field Update (February 22, 1999)
Abdel-Baaith Sprints Into History at NEC Track Championships

Brooklyn, NY - Long Island University sprinter Fateen Abdel-Baaith won three gold medals and was named female Most Valuable Performer at the Northeast Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships at Fairleigh Dickinson University on Sunday, Feb. 21.

A senior, Abdel-Baaith led her team to a second-place finish at the championships, winning the 200m dash (NEC record 24.65), the 400m dash (56.22) and anchored the 4x400m relay team to victory in an ECAC qualifying time of 3:55.99.

The three wins gives her 12 conference championships in her career with the NEC Outdoor Championships still to come in May. She was coming off a victory at 400m (55.19) at the Metropolitan Championships at the New York City Armory on Feb. 7.

An NCAA provisional qualifier at 400m in 1998, Abdel-Baaith is ranked in the top 30 in the nation at 400m.

Abdel-Baaith did have strong support at the meet. Teammate Patricia Metzger was victorious at 500m in a time of 1:20.00. Also winning on the women's side was Sakinah Patterson at 800m (2:17.14).

The men's team finished in seventh place and was led by newcomer Kishwayne Virgo who won the 55m dash in an NEC record 6.38. Virgo also medaled at 200m, placing second in a time of 22.38.