ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The South Carolina State men's and women's track and field teams turned in a strong showing at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships, highlighted by five individual MEAC titles, several school records and a host of all-conference honors.

Leading the way for the Bulldogs were MEAC champions Sanaii Gaines in the women's long jump, Angelina Stabile in the women's pole vault, Robert Carter in the men's javelin, Michael Hopkins in the men's pole vault and Kenton George in the men's decathlon.

Gaines set a MEAC record in the women's long jump en route to claiming the conference title.

SC State also earned a pair of runner-up finishes from Isaiah Johnson in the men's decathlon and men's javelin.

The Bulldogs added four bronze-medal performances, including Naomi Johnson in the women's long jump, Sydney Cooper in the women's heptathlon, Nia Singleton in the women's 800 meters and Tinashe Bure in the men's 1,500 meters.

Cooper also established a South Carolina State record for most points scored in the women's heptathlon.

In addition to the medal winners, SC State produced a host of All-MEAC first-team and second-team selections during the championship meet.

The Bulldogs' men's team finished second overall with 126 points after placing fifth a year ago with 81 points. It marked the program's highest finish at the MEAC Outdoor Championships since 1993, when the Bulldogs also placed second.
The women's team finished sixth with 83 points, an improvement from last season's 50-point total.

"I am proud of what our men and women teams accomplished this outdoor season," said SC State head coach Donald Cooper. "It was a tough season full of distractions and adversity. I am proud of how resilient our teams were and how committed my coaching staff remained.

Cooper noted "The men went into the meet to win a championship, but we came up short and I take the responsibility for that," he said. "Our second-place finish, however, was the highest placing at the MEAC Outdoor Championships in 33-years since my freshman year as an athlete on the team in 1993 where we finished second that year."

Despite the sixth-place finish, the women's program showed promise for the future.

"Future is bright for the women as the two gold medals and one silver medal came from all freshmen," said Cooper.

Cooper also credited the Bulldogs' staff for the team's success, including Coach Glover, Coach Ratliff, student assistant coach Lindon Cooper and strength and conditioning coach Jarred Boan.

MEAC Champions:
Sanaii Gaines- Women Long Jump (MEAC Record)
Angelina Stabile- Women Pole Vault
Robert Carter- Men Javelin
Michael Hopkins- Men Pole Vault
Kenton George- Men Decathlon
 
MEAC Runner up:
Isaiah Jonhnson- Men Decathlon and Men Javelin
 
MEAC Bronze Medals:
Naomi Johnson- Women Long Jump
Sydney Cooper- Women Heptathlon (SCSU Record) most points scored
Nia Singleton- Women 800m
Tinashe Bure- Men 1500m