South Carolina HBCU Sports This Week

*SC State’s Jada Banks Named Outstanding Runner After Two Gold Medals At MEAC Track; Jeffers also Grabs a First*

NORFOLK, VA -- South Carolina State's Jada Banks was named the meet's Outstanding Runner after earning two gold medals and a third-place finish at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Track and Field Championships hosted by Norfolk State.

Banks, a junior of Staybridge, GA, won the 5,000-meter run on Saturday with a time of 18:10.71 and earlier captured the 10,000 meters (40:17.46), while coming in third in the 1,500 meters (4:40.96) to earn 26 points and the honor.

The Bulldogs Tyler Jeffers also earned gold on Saturday, coming from behind to win the 800 meters (1:52.28).

The rest of the team standings for the men included Delaware State third with 95.5 points, followed by Morgan State (87), NC Central (75), Coppin State (71), Maryland Eastern Shore (66.5) and SC State (53).

Other SC State performers earning points on Saturday were Brenton Shippy who finished third in both the 100 meters (10.40) and 200 meters (21.03), Jaden Barker fifth in the 400 meters (47.67), Matron Thornton third the 800 meters (1:53.38), Trey Felton fourth in 1500 meters (4:05.01), Dexter Ratliff eighth in the hammer throw (46.75m, 133-08 ft.), Princess Vigilance fifth in the 100 meters (12.14), Chanice Harris seventh in the 200 meters (25.14), Makayla Jones fourth in the 400 meter hurdles (1:03.42), Marquis Lynch eight in the javelin (40.75m, 132-06 ft.), the 4x400 meter relay team of Barker, Barrington Walker, Tyler Jeffers and Shippy third (3:12.48), and the women's 4x400 meter relay of Angelica Frederick, Jasmaine Donovan, Harris and Debrielle Williams fifth (3:49.34).

A number of Bulldogs earned All-MEAC honors by finishing among the top three in events. Earning first team honors were Banks (10,000, 5,000, 1500), Jeffers (800 meters). Second team accolades went to Ratliff (Discus), while third-team honors were earned by Shippy (100, 200, 4x400), Jeffers (4x400), Barrington Walker(4x400), Thornton (800) and Barker (4x400).

*Benedict's O'Connor Named HBCU Player Of The Year*

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Benedict College's Bradon O'Connor has been selected the Player of the Year by Black College Nines, while freshman outfielder Jamell Mitchell Jr. was also selected to their Elite second team.
O'Connor, a graduate student, was named the 2022 SIAC Utility Player of the Year, as well as First Team All-SIAC as a Utility Player. This year, he broke the NCAA Division II single-season record with 97 total stolen bases. He ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in total stolen bases and stolen bases per game. He also ranks third in Division II in batting average, fifth in on-base percentage, and 24th in toughest to strike out.
Mitchell, a freshman outfielder, hit .290 and ranked second in the NCAA, behind O'Connor, with 60 stolen bases. As Benedict's lead-off batter, he had a .399 on-base percentage and scored 51 runs.

Twenty-Nine HBCU baseball players were named to the Black College Nines' Elite teams for the 2022 season. Additional recognition is given to our Player, Pitcher, Freshman and Coach of the Year, as well as to Sports Information Directors. This marks the first time the national postseason awards was split from the large school based on the growth of the Black College World Series. First and second team selections were made in the Small School Division (made up of NCAA Division II as well as schools in both the NAIA and NCCAA).

Selections were made based upon statistical information, mid-season reports including research provided by Black College Nines and both coaching staffs and their sports information directors. Player, pitcher and coach of the year awards were voted upon by Black College Nines and members of the national media.

Black College Nines is a website that covers current and historical HBCU baseball news and is dedicated to preserving the legacy of black college and university baseball. For more information, visit the Black College Nines website https://blackcollegenines.com.

*Harrison Selected To Attend 2022 NCAA Career In Sports Forum*

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Former Allen volleyball standout Nescotia Harrison has been selected to participate in the 2022 NCAA Career in Sports Forum (CSF).

The forum allows attendees to network with peers and decision-makers at the campus, conference and national level of college athletics. Notable speakers will be in attendance and will cover a variety of topics to prepare attendees for success navigating their futures through panels, engaging breakout discussions, keynote presentations and facilitated dialogues.

To be selected for the forum, nominees must have participated in an NCAA-sponsored sport during the 2021-22 academic year.

This year's forum will take place June 2-5, 2022 in Indianapolis, Ind.