Aisha Thomas Named Northeast Conference Outstanding Track Performer and Most Valuable Performer

5/17/06 -- Sophomore Aisha Thomas (Jefferson City, Mo.) received Outstanding Track Performer and Most Valuable Performer awards as the Northeast Conference announced its All-Conference Teams today. Head Coach Julia Sandiford won Coach of the Year honors after guiding the women’s team to its first NEC Outdoor championship this spring.

Thomas posted first place finishes in the 100 and 200-meter dashes for the second straight year and helped the 4x100 and 4x400-meter relay teams take first place at the 2006 NEC Outdoor Championship. Freshman Tavia Burke (St. Catherine, Jamaica) was tabbed Rookie of the Meet and first-team All-NEC in the 4x100-meter relay. In addition, she was named All-NEC second team in the 100 and 200-meter dashes after capturing second in the events.

The Blackbirds dominated the relays, securing top honors in the 4x100, 4x400 and 4x800. Freshman Danielle Matthew (Baytown, Texas) and senior Chioma Ukpai (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) received first-team honors for their performances in the 4x100-meter relay. Ukpai was also named to the 100-meter hurdles second team. Leslie Conley (Baltimore, Md.) and Jaimie Smith (Burtonsville, Md.) were named to the all-conference first team in multiple events. Smith won the 800-meter run and was a member of the first place 4x400 and 4x800-meter relay squads. Conley ran the opening leg of the 4x400-meter relay and was the anchor of the 4x800-meter relay team. Shanequa Warren (Roselle, N.J.) also picked up first team honors as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team and second team recognition in the 400-meter hurdles.

Seniors Temi Akojie (Largo, Md.) and Shayla Wallace (Sumter, S.C.) earned first –team all-NEC accolades in the 4x800-meter relay.

Hillian was named the Outstanding Performer for the second consecutive year after winning both the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes and anchoring the first place 4x100 and 4x200-meter relay teams.

All-American Bryan Steele (Gaithersburg, Md.) was named first-team all-conference in the 400-meter hurdles, after taking the title in 51.76 seconds. Steele also garnered first team honors in the 4x400-meter relay. Other first team all-conference selections include seniors Rodney Daniel (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Jeremy Bascom (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and freshman Andre Marcano (Trinidad &Tobago) of the 4x100-meter relay team.

Roshawn Aberdeen (Brentwood, N.Y.) and Leslie Tyrell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) were named to the 4x400-meter relay squad. Bascom and Steele were named second-team all-conference in the 100 and 400-meter dashes, respectively.