LIU Picked to Finish in NEC Top Three For 2006 Season; Women Tabbed Second, Men Selected Third

3/27/06 -- Long Island University’s Track and Field program has been selected to finish second in 2006 Northeast Conference women’s track competition, according to an annual poll of league head coaches released today. The men’s team was picked to finish third. Monmouth was tabbed to capture both the women’s and men’s conference crowns.

The Blackbirds are looking to continue their winning ways in the outdoor season after capturing the 2005-06 conference indoor crown.

Leading the way for LIU is 2005 NEC Indoor Championship Most Valuable Performer and Outstanding Track Performer, Aisha Thomas (Jefferson City, Mo.). Thomas claimed the 100 and 200-meter dash titles in her rookie season.

Janel McFarlane (Kensington, Md.) and Jaimie Smith (Burtonsville, Md.) ran legs of the indoor champion 4x400-meter relay team and will add points in outdoor distance events.

The men’s team is still in the hunt for its first ever league outdoor title. All-American Brian Steele (Gaithersburg, Md.) returns for his senior year to push the Blackbirds to the top spot. Steele placed first in the 400-meter dash with a scorching time of 47.71 in the 2005 Indoor Finals. Michael Hillian (Voorhees, N.J.), last season’s Outdoor Outstanding Track Performer, returns to compete in several sprints and relays.

Freshman Shavar Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica) will be looked upon to add points, as well. Clarke was named 2006 Indoor Rookie of the Meet after taking the title in the 200 and outstanding performances in the 60-meter dash and 4x400-meter relay.

LIU opened the 2006 Outdoor season on March 12 with a trip to Puerto Rico. The next meet is the UNLV Invitational on April 1.