Track & Field Team Wins Big at Nationals

It was a stellar weekend for Union County College's Track and Field team as they earned three gold and a silver medal at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Track and Field National Championships.

The competition was held in Utica, New York, from May 7 to 9, 2015. The team is only three years old and this was their third time in national competition.

Field Team member, sophomore Samard Walker, of Jersey City, took the gold in the Men's Discus. He threw 46.89 meters, beating Kyle Dunn-Devine of Thaddeus Stevens. He also earned a silver medal in the Shot Put.

Walker was also named the Region XIX Men's Field Athlete of the Year for the East Region and was a recipient of the USTFCCCA's National Athlete of the Week. He was the only NJCAA Division III athlete to be invited to compete in the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival.

For the Women's team, Lady Owl Tamoya Brown, of Elizabeth, made Union proud when she won two gold medals. Her first gold medal was in the 100 Hurdle with the time of 15.49 and her second gold medal was earned in the 400 Hurdle with her time of 1:05.51. Brown also took fifth place in the Women's Long Jump.

Brown was also named the Region XIX Women's Track Athlete of the Year for the East Region in the 100 Hurdle and 400 Meters. She led the squad to a third-place Region XIX finish.

Other members of the team also placed during the weekend's competition. Lady Owl Gian Shim, of Roselle, took sixth place in the shot put. Savonn Maye, of Springfield, also placed. He took eighth place in the long jump and ninth place in the triple jump.

This is Union's third season in track and field and the third national championship for the College in its 80-year history. The National Junior College Athletic Association (Division III) includes 98 community colleges across 14 states and 24 regions.