Blackbirds Dominate NEC All-Conference Team;
Aisha Thomas and 4x400-Meter Relay Teams Lead the Way

4/21/06 -- The Northeast Conference announced its 2006 Indoor Track and Field All-Conference teams yesterday afternoon. Long Island University had the most representatives with nine individuals receiving honors.

Sophomore Aisha Thomas (Jefferson City, Mo.) collected first team honors in three individual events, winning the 200 meter dash, the 400 meter dash and the 60 meter dash with a record-breaking time of 7.65.

Thomas picked up the Most Valuable Performer and Outstanding Track Performer honors at the conference championships.

Senior Jaimie Smith (Burtonsville, Md.) followed with first team credits for her performances in the 500-meter dash and 800-meter run.

Thomas and Smith were members of the women’s 4x400-meter relay team that not only helped the Blackbirds clinch the conference crown, but earned them first team recognition.

All-American Bryan Steele (Gaithersburg, Md.) and freshman Shavar Clarke (Kingston, Jamaica) were named to the conference first team in the 200 and 400-meter dashes, respectively.

Steele and Clarke ran legs of the gold medal winning 4x400-meter relay team along with seniors Michael Hillian (Voorhees, N.J.) and Jeremy Bascom (Brooklyn, N.Y.).

Hillian earned second team all-conference accolades for the 200 and 400-meter races.

Clarke, 2006 NEC Indoor Rookie of the Meet, was named to the second team after placing second in the 60-meter dash.

The Blackbirds return to action on Friday, February 24 in the NYU Invitational at The Armory Track and Field Center.