NEW ORLEANS —The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has announced the All-Region honorees for the 2018 NCAA Division II outdoor track & field season.
Representing the Trojans on the extended list of athletes from across the region are Allen Blair, Steven Murdock, Stephen Anderson, Dar'Keem Gray, Milton Coleman-Sledge, Andre Jackson, Jade Jordan and Jeia Gilliam.
On the men's side, a total of 688 athletes earned 935 All-Region honors from 176 different institutions. A total of eight programs had 20 or more All-Region selections.
While a total of 640 women from 151 different institutions picked up 929 All-Region honors.
In the men's long jump, Blair has dominated the completion with a leap of 24'1.5' at the Virginia Grand Prix on April 28, earning him a first place ranking. Blair has also left his mark on the men's 200m dash with a no. 2 regional time of 20.82 after his performance at the Mount Olive Final Qualifier on May 13.
In the men's 400m, Steven Murdock holds steady with a 5th place regional ranking after is performance at the 2018 CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship on May 5-6 with a time of 48.04.
The quartet of Dar'keem Gray, Allen Blair, Steven Murdock, and Stephen Anderson collected a 3rd place 4x100 time of 40.81 at the Mount Olive Final Qualifier on May 13. The group improved their time by 14 seconds, giving them a 2nd place regional spot.
In the 4x400, Steven Murdock, Milton Coleman-Sledge, Allen Blair and Andre Jackson each earned a spot among the All-Region Honorees after their performance at the 2018 CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship on May 5-6. The quartet is currently ranked second in the region with a 4x400 time of 3:12.81.
Jordan's powerful leap in the women's high jump has tied her for the regions no. 1 ranking. At the VSU Trojan Invite on April 21, Jordan secured a high jump measure of 5'8.75".
In the throw events, Gilliam has made her presence know! She has made VSU history as an automatic NCAA qualifier. Her range of 176'8" in the women's discus at the Phoenix Invite on April 14 has ranked her 1st in the region. Gilliam is also ranked 4th in the region with a shot put throw of 46'9.5" at the 2018 CIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship on May 5-6.
Below are the Trojans respective USTFCCCA honors.
Men's All-Region Honorees
Allen Blair VSU Atlantic Region 200 Meters
Allen Blair VSU Atlantic Region Long Jump
Steven Murdock VSU Atlantic Region 400 Meters
Allen Blair VSU Atlantic Region 4x100 Relay
Dar'keem Gray VSU Atlantic Region 4x100 Relay
Steven Murdock VSU Atlantic Region 4x100 Relay
Stephen Anderson VSU Atlantic Region 4x100 Relay
Allen Blair VSU Atlantic Region 4x400 Relay
Andre Jackson VSU Atlantic Region 4x400 Relay
Steven Murdock VSU Atlantic Region 4x400 Relay
Milton Coleman-Sledge VSU Atlantic Region 4x400 Relay
Men's Top Performers
Allen Blair VSU Atlantic Region 200 Meters
Allen Blair VSU Atlantic Region Long Jump
Women's All-Region Honorees
Jeia Gilliam VSU Atlantic Region Shot Put
Jeia Gilliam VSU Atlantic Region Discus
Jade Jordan VSU Atlantic Region High Jump
Women's Top Performers
Jeia Gilliam VSU Atlantic Region Discus
Jade Jordan VSU Atlantic Region High Jump
For the full list of honorees, click HERE.
VSU will travel to Charlotte, NC for the 2018 NCAA DII Outdoor Track and Field Championship, hosted by Johnson C. Smith University.
For more information on VSU men's and women's outdoor track and field team, visit govsutrojans.com and follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.
