RU - Camden Track & Field News

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Stewart sets Raptors' 5,000-meter mark
at Tuppeny Twilight Meet

VILLANOVA, Penn. - Rutgers University-Camden track star Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) continued his outstanding freshman season by setting a program record in the 5,000-meter run while competing at the Tuppeny Twilight Meet at Villanova University May 15.

Stewart finished 28th in the event with a time of 16:05.10, lowering his mark of 16:16.49 set at the New Jersey Invitational April 15.

Also competing at the Tuppeny Twilight Meet were women's senior captain Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and sophomore Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional). Zimmitt finished fourth in the long jump competition with a leap of 5.29. She also placed ninth in the 400-meter dash in 1:00.18 to finish barely ahead of Hafiz, who was 10th at 1:00.67.

Zimmitt sets Rutgers-Camden record
while winning NJAC long jump title

GLASSBORO - Rutgers University-Camden senior captain Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) set a program record of 18-2 (5.54 meters) while capturing the long jump title at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships here May 6 at Rowan University.

Zimmitt broke the school mark of 18-0.50 she established at the Danny Curran Invitational April 1. Her record leap also was an NCAA provisional qualifier. She also set a record for the NJAC Championships, beating the 5.52 meters by Brittny Boyd from The College of New Jersey in 2004.

Zimmitt was one of three Scarlet Raptor athletes to capture NJAC championships Saturday. On the men's team, freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) won the conference title with a 34:01.61 time at 10,000 meters, while freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) earned the 800-meter run title in a time of 1:58.91.

The Lady Raptors' relay teams also made their mark at the NJAC Championships, with the 4x400 finishing second in a time of 4:17.19 and the 4x100 team placing third with a 50.11 clocking. Zimmitt was a member of both teams. Joining her on the 4x400 team were sophomores Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) and freshman Brandee Neiderhofer (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit). The other members of the 4x100 team were Hafiz and seniors Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) and Nafeesa Yusuff (Vineland, NJ/Vineland).

Hafiz, meanwhile, finished second in the triple jump (10.95M) in addition to her work on the relay teams.

The Rutgers-Camden women finished fourth among the nine NJAC schools with 53 points. The Rutgers-Camden men finished ninth with 21 points. The College of New Jersey won both the men's and women's titles with 215 and 240.50 points, respectively. It was the 14th straight team title for the TCNJ women and the ninth straight for the Lions' men.

Zimmitt also finished fourth in the triple jump (10.73 M) and fourth in the 100-meter dash (12.61 after posting a 12.51 clocking in qualifying). Overall, Zimmitt scored or contributed to 34 of the Lady Raptors' 53 points with her individual and relay performances.

In addition to Zimmitt and Hafiz, the Lady Raptors also received fine individual performances from Greehe, who was fifth at 100 meters (12.94 in the finals after posting a 12.90 time in qualifying) and ninth at 200 meters (27.08). Hull finished 16th at 200 meters (29.23), while Neiderhofer finished seventh at 10,000 meters (48:43.29).

Freshman Becca Taylor (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) finished sixth in the discus (28.55 M) and seventh in the shot put (8.40 M).

Yusuff, running in her first meet after being sidelined all spring with an injury, posted a 29.46 clocking to finish 18th in the 200 meters, in addition to running on the Lady Raptors' relay teams.

For the Rutgers-Camden men's team, sophomore Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) finished 11th in the long jump (4.68M) and 12th in the triple jump (10.69M). Sophomore Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) ran a 53.48 400-meter dash to finish 13th.

The men's 4x400 team of Mendillo, Salamon, Stewart and senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished eighth at 3:42.80.

Stewart sets Rutgers-Camden record
in 3,000-meter steeplechase

EWING -Freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) set a Rutgers University-Camden track record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase as the Scarlet Raptors competed at the Lions Invitational here April 29 at The College of New Jersey.

Stewart posted a time of 10:21.31 to finish fifth in the event, erasing an 11-year old school record set by Tom Thomasson, who ran a 10:32.7 at the NJAC Championships April 15, 1995.

It was the second school record Stewart has set at The College of New Jersey this season. On April 15, he set a mark in the 5,000 meters with a time of 16:16.49 in the New Jersey Invitational. That also broke a mark by Thomasson, who had a time of 16:20.89 at Montclair State on March 27, 1999.

Travis Stewart

Stewart wasn't the only Scarlet Raptor to turn in an outstanding performance at the Lions Invitational. Freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) finished 11th in the 800 meters in a time of 1:57.98, barely missing the Raptors' school mark of 1:57.77 set by David Lee at the NJAC Championships May 5, 2001.

Also competing for the Raptor men were sophomores Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) and Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami). Eigbe finished 16th in the 100meter dash at 12.01 and 17th at 200 meters with a 24.05 clocking. McClain was 17th in the long jump (15-3.25) and 12th in the triple jump (34-2.00), while Mendillo ran a 53.16 400-meter dash to finish 10th.

On the women's side, the Lady Raptors had six athletes competing, including seniors Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) and Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), sophomores Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) and freshmen Brandee Neiderhofer (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) and Becca Taylor (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights).

Zimmitt continued her season-long excellence in the long jump, finishing second with a leap of 17-3.25.

Greene finished 13th in the 100-meter dash (13.24) and 19th at 200 meters (28.00), while Hafiz was 13th at 400 meters (1:01.29) and seventh in the triple jump (35-4.50). Hull also ran the 400 meters, finishing 24th in a 1:08.28 clocking.

Neiderhofer finished 37th at 800 meters (2:45.83) and 36th at 1,500 meters (5:41.07).

Taylor competed in both the shot put and the discus, finishing 20th in the shot (22-9.25) and 19th in the discus (83-7).

Rutgers-Camden will compete in the NJAC Championships Saturday at Rowan University.

Rutgers-Camden women's relay teams
compete at prestigious Penn Relays

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. - Six members of the Rutgers University-Camden women's track team competed here April 27 as the Lady Raptors ran at the prestigious Penn Relays.

Rutgers-Camden ran a team in the 4x100 relay, which finished sixth in its heat in a time of 51.02. The Lady Raptors also finished fourth in their heat in the 4x400 relay, posting a time of 4:19.56.

Members of both teams included senior captain Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and sophomores Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christina Center and Academy). Rounding out the 4x100 team was senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown), while freshman Brandee Neiderhofer (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) was the fourth runner on the 4x400 team.

The Rutgers-Camden men's 4x400 relay team will compete Friday at the Penn Relays. The whole team returns to action Saturday at the Lions Invitational at The College of New Jersey.

Stewart sets school 5,000-meter mark
at New Jersey Invitational

EWING - Freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) set a Rutgers University-Camden record in the 5,000-meter run as the Scarlet Raptors competed at the New Jersey Invitational here April 15.

Stewart posted a time of 16:16.49 to finish seventh in the race. He beat the program record of 16:20.89 by Tom Thomasson at Montclair State March 27, 1999.

The Rutgers-Camden men's team finished 12th of 13 programs with 10 points. Host The College of New Jersey won the event with 119 points, barely edging Richard Stockton College (118).

In the women's competition, Ithaca College posted 154 points to win the 11-team competition. Rutgers-Camden finished ninth with 17 points.

For the Lady Raptors, senior captain Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) finished fourth in the long jump (17-10.75), marking the first time in four spring meets she did not win the long jump competition. She also was sixth in the triple jump (33-6.75) and 11th in both the 100-meter (12.66) and 200-meter (26.85) dashes.

Sophomore Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) finished fifth in the triple jump (34-6.25), while senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) was 17th at 100 meters (13.42) and 22nd at 200 meters (28.68).

Sophomore Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) placed 22nd in the 100-meter dash (13.91) and 27th at 200 meters (29.86). Freshman Becca Taylor (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) finished sixth in the discus (94-6) and seventh in the shot put (29-8.25).

In addition to Stewart, the Rutgers-Camden men saw freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) finish fifth at 800 meters (1:57.96) and 23rd at 1,500 meters (4:14.92), while sophomore Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was 40th at 800 meters (2:07.62).

Sophomore Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) finished 14th in the long jump (16-7.0) and was 15th in the triple jump (34-2.75).

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Saturday at the East Stroudsburg University Invitational.

Salamon paces Raptors
at Lebanon Valley College

ANNVILLE, Penn.- Freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) finished third in the 800 meters (2:05.0) and fourth in both the 400 meters (53.0) and 1,500 meters (4:17.5) to lead eight Rutgers University-Camden athletes at the Lebanon Valley College Track & Field Invitational here April 12.

Salamon's 1,500-meter time was his top time of the season.

There were no team scores at the event.

The Rutgers-Camden men's team also received fine performances by freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional), who finished seventh at 1,500 meters (4:22.4) and 13th at 800 meters (2:12.3). Sophomore Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) was ninth at 400 meters (55.8), 17th at 100 meters (12.9) and 18th at 200 meters (25.8), while sophomore Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) finished 13th in the long jump (15-0.5).

On the women's side, sophomore Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) posted her top triple jump of the outdoor season (34-5) to finish second. She also was fifth in the 100-meter dash (13.4).

Senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) was seventh in the 200-meter dash (29.3) and eighth in the 100-meter dash (13.7), while sophomore Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) placed 12th at 200 meters (30.3) and 13th at 100 meters (14.5).

Freshman Becca Taylor (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) finished fifth in the discus (101-0) and 10th in the shot put (23-8).

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Saturday at 9 a.m. for the New Jersey Invitational at The College of New Jersey.

Zimmitt wins long jump competition
at Stockton's Osprey Open

POMONA - Senior captain Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) finished first in the long jump for the third consecutive meet, jumping 5.10 meters, to highlight the Rutgers University-Camden track team's performance at the rainy Osprey Open here April 8 at Richard Stockton College.

In addition to Zimmitt, freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) posted a time of 10:35.31 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase to finish seventh.

Stewart also teamed with sophomores Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) to finish third in the 4x400 relay in a time of 3:50.81.

Salamon also finished sixth at 800 meters (2:04.61) and ninth at 1,500 meters (4:23.43), while Mendillo was 17th at 400 meters (55.32). Eigbe, meanwhile, finished 22nd in the 200-meter dash in a time of 25.49.

On the women's side, sophomore Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) was fifth in the 100-meter dash (13.48) and sophomore Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) placed 12th (14.50).

Freshman Becca Taylor (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights), making her Rutgers-Camden track debut, was sixth in the discus (26.49 M) and 12th in the shot put (8.15 M).

Sophomore Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) finished 30th in the 800 meters with a 3:05.99 clocking.

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Wednesday for a 3:30 p.m. quad meet at Lebanon Valley College.

Zimmitt sets Raptors' long jump record
at Danny Curran Invitational

CHESTER, Penn. - Senior captain Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) finished first in the long jump, breaking her own school record, to highlight the Rutgers University-Camden track team's performance at the Danny Curran Invitational at Widener University April 1.

Zimmitt had a long jump of 18-00.5, breaking the mark of 17-9 she set at the ECAC Championships May 20, 2005.

Zimmitt also finished third in the 100-meter dash (12.89) and seventh in the triple jump (34-05.75).

The Scarlet Raptors also received a first-place finish on the men's side, as freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) won the 10,000-meter run in a time of 34:37.21.

No team scores were kept in the event.

The Lady Raptors' 4x400 team finished 11th in 4:42.58 with a quartet of sophomore Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown), sophomore Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) and freshman Brandee Neiderhofer (Absegami, NJ/Holy Spirit).

Hafiz also finished fifth at 100 meters (13.25) and sixth in the triple jump (34-06.75), while Greene was 12th in the 200 meters (28.82) and Neiderhofer was 14th at 5,000 meters (22:33.37).

Sophomore Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) finished 29th at 800 meters (2:56.01) and 44th at 1,500 meters (6:00.28).

The men's 4x400 team also finish 11th, led by sophomore Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), sophomore Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) and Stewart.

Eigbe also finished 25th in both the 100 meters (12.15) and 200 meters (24.36), while Mendillo was 31st at 800 meters (2:09.18). Salamon was 20th at 800 meters (2:04.54) and 31st in the 1,500 meters (4:19.66).

Sophomore Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) finished 24th in the long jump (16-03.75) and 15th in the triple jump (35-02.0).

Freshman Kevin Dukes (Pitman, NJ/Pitman) finished 15th in the 110-meter high hurdles (20.91).

The Scarlet Raptors return to action April 8 at the Osprey Open, beginning at 10 a.m. at Richard Stockton College.

Raptors' distance medley relay sets
program mark at Stockton Invitational

POMONA -The Rutgers University-Camden men's distance medley relay team set a program record as the Scarlet Raptors opened the spring season by competing in the Stockton Invitational at Richard Stockton College here March 25.

The Raptors' team of freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional), sophomores Patrick Eigbe Jr. (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and freshman anchor Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) ran the distance medley in a time of 11:34.62 to finish first. They broke the school mark of 11:40.42 set by Tom Thomasson, Russell Panetta, Jepheth White and Manfred Amissah at William Paterson University April 3, 1999.

In addition to the distance medley relay, Rutgers-Camden senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) also notched a first-place finish with a leap of 5.15 meters in the long jump. Zimmitt also finished second in the triple jump (10.63 meters).

Also competing for the Rutgers-Camden women were sophomores Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) and Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy). McCormick finished fifth in her 800-meter heat (2:59.71) and sixth in her 1,500-meter heat (6:13.75). Hull, meanwhile, was fourth in her heat for the 400 meters (1:18.30).

On the men's side, freshman Kevin Dukes (Pitman, NJ/Pitman) finished seventh in his 110-meter high hurdle heat (20.69). Eigbe was fourth in his heat for the 100-meter dash (12.32), while sophomore Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) was fifth in his 100-meter heat (14.19) and seventh in the long jump (5.07 meters).

Mendillo finished third in his heat at 400 meters (54.79) and Stewart was fourth in his 1,500-meter heat (4:22.18).

The Scarlet Raptors return to action April 1 at the Danny Curran Invitational at Widener University. The meet starts at 10 a.m.

Rutgers-Camden set
for spring season

CAMDEN - The Rutgers-Camden track team has had a fine run in the past year, and third-year Head Coach Joe Puleo is looking to continue the Scarlet Raptors' success this spring.

During the 2005 spring season, the Scarlet Raptors produced their second female All-American, as sprinter Tameka Jackson repeated her national honors in the 100-meter dash. Jackson posted a 12.18 clocking in the 100-meter finals May 28 to finish eighth nationally for the second straight season. That time came one day after she set a program record of 12.04 in her qualifying heat.

Rutgers-Camden also captured a third-place finish by its women at the 2005 New Jersey Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships, aided by Jackson's performance as the NJAC Outstanding Female Track Athlete. The third-place finish earned Puleo the NJAC Women's Co-Coach of the Year honor. The Raptors produced 11 All-NJAC honors at that event, including all-conference First Team recognition in the triple jump for Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown). Zimmitt and Jackson also were two of four Lady Raptors to earn NJAC All-Academic honors.

Overall, the 2005 spring team established seven school records, with some of them being broken several times.

The Raptors continued to develop their track program this past winter, fielding their first indoor varsity team. The maiden voyage on the indoor track scene produced many highlights, including a fifth-place finish by the women's team at the NJAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Feb. 19. Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) earned All-NJAC Second Team honors in the triple jump and combined with Zimmitt to produce all 19 of the Lady Raptors' points at that meet. On the men's side, Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) earned NJAC Honorable Mention at 800 meters.

As Rutgers-Camden kicks into the 2006 spring season, Hafiz, Salamon and Zimmitt are three of the key performers for Puleo's Scarlet Raptors, who return four males and three females. Among the 11 departing letterwinners (seven females and four males), the key losses are Jackson and four-year men's letterwinner Taiwan Lamb. Lamb, who finished his Rutgers-Camden career as a member of the indoor track team this winter, will serve as one of Puleo's assistant coaches this spring.

On the women's side, Puleo is expecting big things from sophomore Hafiz and senior Zimmitt. Both athletes excel in the sprints and jumps, and Puleo feels both could be national qualifiers in the triple jump. In addition, he feels his captain, Zimmitt, could qualify in the long jump.

Zimmitt and Hafiz, who both played on the women's basketball team during the winter, had an amazing performance at the NJAC indoor meet on Feb. 19. One day after finishing their basketball season, they participated in their first indoor meet at the NJAC championships and combined for all 19 of the Lady Raptors' points. Hafiz finished second in the triple jump, earning All-NJAC Second Team honors, and fourth in the 55-meter dash, while Zimmitt was fourth in the long jump, fifth at 55 meters and sixth in the triple jump.

Two other Rutgers-Camden basketball players, senior Tanishia Greene (Georgetown, SC/Georgetown) and sophomore Jessica Hull (Sicklerville, NJ/Fairton Christian Center and Academy) will join the track team this spring, both as sprinters. Hull also will run middle distance. Greene played four years with the basketball program and also ran cross country. Hull received her first Rutgers-Camden basketball letter over the winter.

Both athletes will give the Raptors plenty of depth and talent in the sprints. Rutgers-Camden's sprinters include senior Nafeesa Yusuff (Vineland, NJ/Vineland), who returns for her fourth season. Yusuff competed on the 4x400 team in addition to running the 100 and 200 last spring.

Two other newcomers to the Lady Raptors' outdoor track team are cross country letterwinner Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township), a sophomore, and freshman Brandee Neiderhofer (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit), who ran indoor track Both athletes will compete in the middle distance races.

Freshman Rebecca Taylor (Haddon Heights, NJ/Haddon Heights) also joins the Lady Raptors. She will compete in throwing events.

On the men's side, Puleo calls Salamon a "potential All-American," who will break multiple school records in the middle distance events. Salamon competed in the 800 meters at the ECAC indoor championships March 4, notching a time of 1:57.46 to finish seventh. That time is better than the program's current outdoor mark of 1:57.77.

Returning to the team will be sophomores Patrick Eigbe Jr. and Darryl Mendillo, a pair of athletes from Galloway, NJ out of Absegami High School. Both athletes are sprinters, and Mendillo also will compete in the middle distance events.

Senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), a middle distance runner, returns for his fourth year with the track program. McGowan teamed with Mendillo, Eigbe and the graduated Matthew Weng to set a program record in the 4x800 relay last spring (9:30.68) at the Messiah Invitational.

Also returning is sophomore jumper Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep).

Freshmen Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional), who was part of the cross country program last fall, and freshman hurdler Kevin Dukes (Pitman, NJ/Pitman) round out the men's team.

Eigbe, McClain, McGowan, Mendillo, Salamon and Stewart all ran on the Scarlet Raptors' inaugural men's indoor track team this winter. Members of the first women's indoor team, who are returning for the spring season, are Hafiz, McCormick, Yusuff and Zimmitt.

Salamon posts Rutgers-Camden 800 M record
at ECAC Indoor Track Championships

COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. - Rutgers University-Camden freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) lowered his own program record in the 800-meter run and finished seventh in a time of 1:57.46 at the ECAC Track and Field Indoor Championships March 4 at Ursinus College.

Salamon, who scored the Scarlet Raptors' only two points in the ECAC Championships with his performance, lowered his old mark of 1:57.53, which was set during his third-place finish at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships Feb. 19. That time at the conference meet earned Salamon NJAC Honorable Mention at 800 meters.

During his four indoor meets this season, the Rutgers-Camden freshman set a program record at 800 meters his first time out and lowered the mark in each subsequent meet. He also set the program's record in the mile (4:33.90) and as the anchor on the 4x800-meter relay team (8:30.13) this season.

Rutgers-Camden's men tied for 39th place in the ECAC meet with two points, matching the team scores of Johns Hopkins University and Ramapo College. A total of 44 schools scored points in the men's competition, which was won by New Jersey City University (96 points).

In the women's competition, 38 teams scored points in a meet won by Oneonta (101.50). Rutgers-Camden, which didn't score a point, had one competitor in senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown).

Zimmitt finished ninth out of 16 competitors in the long jump competition March 3 with a leap of 16-5. It was only her second meet of the indoor season. Zimmitt, who earned her fourth letter as a member of the Lady Raptors' women's basketball team this winter, didn't compete for the indoor track team until Feb. 19, when she scored seven points for her team at the NJAC Championships. She finished fourth at the NJAC meet in the long jump with a program indoor-record 16-10.75, fifth at 55 meters (7.67) and sixth in the triple jump (32-9.75).

ECAC Track and Field Indoor Championships
(Mar. 3-4 at Ursinus College)

Men: 1. New Jersey City University, 96; 2. College of New Jersey, 67; 3. Lincoln University, 62; 4. SUNY-Brockport, 44; 5. St. Lawrence University, 43; 6. SUNY-Plattsburg, 38; 7. Eastern Connecticut State University, 31; 8. Salem State College, 29; 9.(tie) Dickinson College and SUNY-Farmingdale, 26; 11. Frostburg State University, 24; 12. University of Southern Maine, 22; 12. Worcester State College, 22; 14. Ithaca College, 19; 15. Muhlenberg College, 18; 16.(tie) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Rowan University, 16; 18. United States Merchant Marine, 15; 19.(tie) Richard Stockton College and University of Rochester, 14; 21.(tie) Montclair State University, Alfred University, SUNY-Oswego and Oneonta State, 11; 25.(tie) Cabrini College, Nazareth College and Widener University, 10; 28.(tie) Franklin & Marshall College, Ursinus College and Hamilton College, 9; 31.(tie) Bowdoin College and York College, 8; 33.(tie) Lebanon Valley College, DeSales University and Kean University, 7; 36. Union College, 5; 37. Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 4; 38. Westminster College, 3; 39.(tie) Rutgers University-Camden, Johns Hopkins University and Ramapo College, 2; 42.(tie) Fitchburg State College, Stevens Institute of Technology and College Misericordia, 1.

Women: 1. Oneonta State University, 101.50; 2. SUNY-Brockport, 77; 3. Lincoln University, 76; 4. College of New Jersey, 73.50; 5. Dickinson College, 62; 6. University of Southern Maine, 51; 7. University of Rochester, 38; 8.(tie) St. Lawrence University and Ithaca College, 38; 10. Richard Stockton College, 24; 11. New Jersey City University, 22; 12. Penn State, 19; 12. Cabrini College, 19; 14.(tie) Frostburg State and SUNY-Plattsburg, 16; 16.(tie) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Washington & Jefferson College, 15; 18. Muhlenberg College, 14; 19.(tie) Widener University and Worcester State College, 13; 21. Gettysburg College, 10; 22. Hamilton College, 8; 23.(tie) Medgar Evers College, Nazareth College, Bowdoin College, Union College, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Westminster College, 6; 29.(tie) Ursinus College, Rowan University and Franklin & Marshall College, 5; 32.(tie) College Misericordia and Lehman College, 4; 34. Kean University, 3; 35. Johns Hopkins University, 2; 36.(tie) York College, McDaniel College and SUNY-Oswego, 1. Did not score: Rutgers University-Camden

Hafiz, Zimmitt lead Rutgers-Camden
at NJAC Indoor Track Championships

NEW YORK, NY -One day after finishing their season in women's basketball, sophomore Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) and senior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) combined for three school records and all 19 of their team's points in helping the Rutgers University-Camden women's track team tie for fifth place at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Indoor Track Championships here Feb. 19.

The Lady Raptors tied with Ramapo College in the nine-team event held at the 168th Street Armory. The Rutgers-Camden men, meanwhile, collected 11 points and finished last among nine teams. The College of New Jersey won both championships, taking the men's title with 215 points and the women's crown with 223.

Overall, Rutgers-Camden's first-year indoor track program set 11 school records at the NJAC championships, including marks by Hafiz in the 55-meter dash (7.60) and the triple jump (33-9.25), and Zimmitt's mark of 16-10.75 in the long jump.

Hafiz finished second in the triple jump and fourth in the 55-meter dash to produce 12 points. Zimmitt was fourth in the long jump, fifth at 55 meters (7.67) and sixth in the triple jump (32-9.75) to account for seven points.

The women's team also collected school records by freshman Brandee Neiderhofer (Absecon, NJ/Holy Spirit) in the 800 meters (2:50.28) and the mile (6:10.66), where she finished 10th and eighth, respectively. Junior Nafeesa Yusuff (Vineland, NJ/Vineland), meanwhile, finished 11th at 200 meters with a school-record time of 28.06. She also finished ninth in the preliminaries for the 55-meter dash (7.95).

Also competing for the Lady Raptors were freshman Julie Grochowski (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown), who was 17th at 200 meters (30.50) and 14th in the 55-meter high hurdles (10.83), and sophomore Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township), who finished ninth in the mile (6:23.61) and 11th at 800 meters (2:51.71).

On the men's side, freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) finished third in the 800-meters with a school-record time of 1:57.53 to produce six of the Scarlet Raptors' 11 points. He also contributed to four more points as the anchor of the fourth-place 4x800 team, which set a school record in 8:30.13. Joining Salamon on the team were freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional), senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami).

Mendillo also finished 13th at 400 meters with a school-record 54.49.

Freshman Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) set school records at 55 meters (7.11) and 200 meters (24.89), while finishing 19th and 20th, respectively.

The Raptors' other point came from a sixth-place finish in the long jump by senior Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City), who posted a leap of 20-0.25. Lamb also finished 20th at 55 meters (7.12) and 21st at 200 meters (26.94).

Freshman Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace) finished 13th in the long jump (16-2.5) and 21st at 55 meters (7.96) for the Raptors.

Rutgers-Camden returns to action March 3-4 in the ECAC Championships at Ursinus College.

New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships (at NY City Armory)

Men: 1. The College of New Jersey, 215; 2. New Jersey City University, 75; 3. Montclair State University, 66; 4. Rowan University, 57; 5. Richard Stockton College, 50; 6. Kean University, 38; 7. Ramapo College, 31; 8. William Paterson University, 12; 9. Rutgers University-Camden, 11.

Women: 1. The College of New Jersey, 223; 2. Richard Stockton College, 136; 3. New Jersey City University, 74; 4. Kean University, 50; 5.(tie) Rutgers University-Camden and Ramapo College, 19; 7. Rowan University, 9; 8. Montclair State University, 6; 9. William Paterson University, 1.

Raptors add 10 records
at second indoor meet

COLLEGEVILLE, PA - The Rutgers University-Camden track team set 10 school records in the second meet of its maiden indoor season as it ran six men and two women at the Frank Colden Invitational, which was held at Ursinus College Feb. 4.

The Scarlet Raptors didn't score a point in the meet, which was won by West Chester University in the men's competition (76 points) and Towson University (146) on the women's side.

The Scarlet Raptors' top performances came from freshman Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen), who finished ninth in the 800-meter run (2:03.83), 10th in the mile run (4:33.90) and ran the second leg of the 4x400, in which the team finished 10th in a time of 3:51.86. All three of those times were school records for the fledgling indoor program. Joining Salamon on the 4x400 relay team were senior Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) and freshmen Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and anchor Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami).

Mendillo also broke his week-old school record of 57.1 in the 400-meter dash by running a 54.90 to finish 21st. Eigbe, meanwhile, lowered his mark of 25.9 in the 200-meter dash, finishing 22nd with a 25.51 clocking.

In the long jump, Lamb finished 10th (19-4.25) and freshman Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace) finished 21st (15-8.75). Lamb also finished 19th in the 55-meter dash (7.12), while Eigbe was 23rd (7.16) and McClain 46th (8.11).

Freshman Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) finished 15th in the 3,000-meter run in a school-record time of 9:30.64. He also was 19th in the 800 meters (2:09.87).

On the women's side, junior Nafeesa Ysuff (Vineland, NJ/Vineland) and sophomore Rachel McCormick (Blue Anchor, NJ/Winslow Township) each set a pair of school records, with only Yusuff's time of 28.80 in the 200-meter dash passing a previous mark, set by freshman Julie Grochowski (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) last week during the first meet in Rutgers-Camden indoor program history. That mark was 32.0. Yusuff finished her 200-meter dash in 20th place.

Yusuff also ran the women's first 55-meter dash, posting a time of 7.81 for ninth place. McCormick finished 40th in the mile run (6:34.09) and 62nd in the 800-meter run (2:53.34).

Rutgers-Camden returns to action Sunday, Feb. 19, when it competes in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships at the New York City Armory, beginning at 8:45 a.m.

Salamon, Stewart lead Raptors
in indoor varsity track debut

ANNVILLE, PA -Freshmen Jonathan Salamon (Bridgewater, NJ/St. Joseph-Metuchen) and Travis Stewart (Runnemede, NJ/Triton Regional) each won one event and ran a leg on the winning 4x800-meter relay team as Rutgers University-Camden competed in the first varsity indoor track meet in program history here Jan. 28 at the LVC Invitational. The meet was hosted by Lebanon Valley College.

Salamon won the 800-meter run in a time of 2:05.8, while Stewart captured the 5,000-meter run in a time of 17:15.1. They also joined freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and senior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) on the winning 4x800-meter team (9:08.70). McGowan ran the first leg of the relay, followed by Stewart, Mendillo and anchor Salamon.

That 4x800 indoor time was better than the outdoor program record of 9:30.68, set last spring.

In the 55-meter dash, freshman Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami), finished 10th (7.0), senior Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) was 11th (7.1) and freshman Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace) was 21st (7.9).

Eigbe finished eighth in the 200-meter dash (25.9), while Lamb was 15th (26.7). Lamb also finished fifth in the long jump (20-02.00), and Mendillo finished seventh (57.1) in the 400-meter dash.

Freshman Julie Grochowski (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) was the lone competing Lady Raptor. She finished eighth in the women's 200-meter dash (32.0) and fifth in the women's 55-meter hurdles (10.6).

Rutgers-Camden returns to action Saturday at Ursinus College, where it will compete in the Frank Colden Invitational beginning at 10 a.m.

Lady Raptors' Jackson
repeats as All-American

WAVERLY, IA - Rutgers University-Camden senior Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling) finished eighth in the 100-meter dash May 28 at the 2005 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships to capture All-America honors for the second straight year.

The NCAA Championships were held at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

Jackson, who broke her own school record in the qualifying heats with a time of 12.04 May 27, ran a 12.18 during Saturday's final. She finished eighth for the second consecutive year in the event which was won by Diana Lawson of New Jersey City University in a time of 11.82.

Last season Jackson ran a 12.51 in the 100-meter final after posting a qualifying time of 12.19.

Tameka Jackson at the Lions Invitational April 30, 2005

Jackson's time of 12.04 in her qualifying heat broke her own school mark of 12.14, set on May 15, 2004 at the ECAC Championships.

Jackson also competed in the 200-meter dash at the NCAA Championships, running 25.36 to finish sixth in her heat on May 26. She didn't qualify for the 200-meter finals.

The NCAA Championships capped a sterling career for Jackson, the only female in Rutgers-Camden track history to earn All-America honors. Earlier this month, she earned a trio of New Jersey Athletic Conference Second Team honors by finishing second in the NJAC meet May 7 in the 100-meter (12.28) and 200-meter (25.64) dashes and anchoring the second-place 4x100 relay team, which set a school record with a 48.31 clocking. Those accomplishments earned Jackson honors as the Outstanding Female Track Athlete at the NJAC Championships.

Tameka Jackson

In addition to her latest records in the 100-meter dash and the 4x100, Jackson also holds school records in the 100-yard dash (11.49), the 200-meter dash (25.02) and has been part of school-record relays for the 4x110 yards (50.50), 4x200 meters (1:43.59), 4x400 meters (3:59.69) and 4x440 yards (4:24.89).

Jackson was the women's track MVP all four years during her Rutgers-Camden career, and earned Raptor of the Week honors five times (March 18 and April 22, 2002, April 14, 2003, May 17, 2004 and this week).

Jackson earned First Team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference as a freshman for both the 4x400 and 4x100 relays and Second Team All-NJAC for the 100- and 200-meter dashes. She also finished second in the ECAC on the 4x100 relay that year. As a sophomore in 2003, she was All-NJAC Second Team for the 100-meter dash and the 4x100 relay, while last season she earned NJAC Honorable Mention for the 4x100 relay, was second in the ECAC in the 100-meter dash and third in the ECAC at 200 meters. She capped off the banner year as a Division III All-American in the 100-meter dash.

In her second meet this spring, at the LVC Invitational at Lebanon Valley College April 20, Jackson finished first in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes, setting a stadium record in the 100-meter dash at 12.4. She also anchored the winning 4x100 relay team and anchored the second-place 4x400 relay team.

An Honor Roll student and track star at Sterling High School, Jackson also earned Honorable Mention on the NJAC All-Academic team last year.

Jackson, who graduated this May with a degree in Criminal Justice, is the daughter of Esther Jackson of Pennsauken.

Lady Raptors' Zimmitt, Hafiz break
to finish fourth at ECAC meet

SPRINGFIELD, MA - Rutgers University-Camden junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) broke school records in the long jump and triple jump, respectively, at the ECAC Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 20 at Springfield College.

Zimmitt broke her own long jump mark twice on her way to a fourth-place finish in the event. She had a leap of 5.40 meters (17-8.75) in the preliminaries to get the fourth seed and qualify for the finals, where she jumped 5.41 meters (17-9) to finish fourth. Both of those marks erased her previous school record of 5.38 meters (17-7.75), which was set at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships May 7 during a second-place finish.

Later in the day, Hafiz and Zimmitt both broke their own triple jump mark of 10.69 meters (35-1.25) that they had set at different meets this season. Zimmitt finished tied for eighth with a jump of 10.89 meters (35-8.75), but Hafiz established the new school mark with a triple jump of 11.17 meters (36-7.75). She finished sixth in the event.

Zimmitt also finished fifth in the 200-meter dash in a time of 26.03.

Despite being the only two competitors from Rutgers-Camden at the ECAC Championships, Zimmitt and Hafiz managed to combine for 12.5 points, helping the Lady Raptors finish 29th among 50 scoring teams at the event.

May 19-20 ECAC Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships
(at Springfield College)
Men: Rutgers-Camden Did Not Compete
Women: 1. Oneonta College, 48; 2. New Jersey City University, 43; 3. Bates, 38; 4. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 37; 5. Wheaton College, 36.50; 6. Amherst College, 36; 7. Williams College, 35.50; 8. SUNY Cortland, 35; 9. Springfield College, 34; 10. University of Southern Maine, 28; 11. University of Rochester, 24; 12. Westfield State, 23.50; 13. St. Lawrence University, 21; 13. Richard Stockton College, 21; 13. Keene State University, 21; 16. Hartwick
College, 19; 17. Bowdoin, 18; 17. Colby College, 18; 19. (tie) Ithaca College and Cabrini College, 17; 21. Muhlenberg College, 16.50; 22. York College, 16; 23. Frostburg State, 15; 24. (tie) Smith College and Dickinson College, 14; 26. Washington and Jefferson College, 13; 26. Trinity College, 13; 26. Brandeis University, 13; 29. Rutgers University-Camden, 12.50; 30. Hunter College, 11; 31. College Misericordia, 10; 32. (tie) Ramapo College, Grove City College, Colby-Sawyer and Tufts University, 8; 36. Coast Guard Academy, 7; 37. Middlebury College, 6; 38. (tie) Lehman College and University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth, 5; 40. (tie) Connecticut College, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and Penn State-Brehrend, 4; 43. Carnegie Mellon, 3; 44. (tie) New York University and Franklin & Marshall College, 2; 46. Westminster College, 1.50; 47. (tie) U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kean University, Rhode Island College and Lebanon Valley College, 1.

Lady Raptors' Zimmitt finishes
ninth in ECAC 100-meter preliminaries

SPRINGFIELD, MA - Rutgers University-Camden junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) finished ninth in the 100-meter dash preliminaries at the ECAC Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships May 19 at Springfield College.

Zimmitt posted a time of 12.65 as she barely missed qualifying for the finals by 0.02. The eighth-place time, which qualified, was 12.63.
The Lady Raptors will continue competition at the ECAC meet Friday and Saturday.

Lady Raptors' 4x100 relay team sets
school marks at Spiked & Psyched meet

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA - The Rutgers University-Camden women's 4x100-meter relay team set a pair of school records May 17-18 at the Spiked & Psyched Last Chance Meet at Elizabethtown College.

The team, composed of junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional), senior Tiffany Logan (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Township) and senior Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling) finished third in the preliminaries on Tuesday, May 17. They posted a school-record time of 48.19, breaking their old program mark of 48.31 set at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships May 7.

The team didn't waste any time breaking their mark. On May 18, they finished second in the finals with a new record of 48.13.

Rutgers-Camden will compete at the ECAC Championships at Springfield (MA) College May 19-21.

at Spiked & Psyched Last Chance Meet (Elizabethtown, PA)
May 17, 2005
Rutgers-Camden School Records:
* Women's 4x100 (Carmen Zimmitt, Imani Hafiz, Tiffany Logan, Tameka Jackson), 48.19 (Old: 48.31, at the NJAC Championships, May 7, 2005)

at Spiked & Psyched Last Chance Meet (Elizabethtown, PA)
May 18, 2005
Rutgers-Camden School Records:
* Women's 4x100 (Carmen Zimmitt, Imani Hafiz, Tiffany Logan, Tameka Jackson), 48.13 (Old: 48.19, at Spiked & Psyched Last Chance Meet, May 17, 2005)

Raptors' Zimmitt, Jackson, Diener star,
Puleo honored at NJAC track championships

POMONA - Rutgers University-Camden junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) set a school record in the long jump, tied another program mark in the triple jump, and was a member of the school record-setting 4x100 relay team to power the Lady Raptors to a third-place finish at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships here May 7.

Lady Raptors senior All-American Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling) finished second in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes, anchored the second-place 4x100 relay team and earned honors as the Outstanding Female Track Athlete, while senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten) broke her own Rutgers-Camden record at 5,000 meters.

The Lady Raptors finished third out of eight schools with 96 points, earning Rutgers-Camden's Joe Puleo honors as one of the Women's Co-Coaches of the Year. He shared the honor with Richard Stockton's Todd Curll, who led the Ospreys to a second-place finish.

The College of New Jersey won both titles, earning its 13th consecutive women's NJAC crown with 216 points and its eighth straight men's crown with 209.5 points.

The Rutgers-Camden men finished last out of eight schools with six points.

Zimmitt won the triple jump with a distance of 10.69 meters (35-1.25), tying the school record set by freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) at the LVC Invitational April 20. She also broke her own record while finishing second in the long jump at 5.38 meters (17-7.75), passing the standard of 17-5.25 at the Grizzly Classic April 16.

Zimmitt also finished fourth in the 100-meter dash preliminaries (12.74) and the 100-meter dash finals (12.60), third in the 200-meter dash (26.25) and joined Jackson, Hafiz and senior Tiffany Logan (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Township) on the second-place 4x100 relay team, which set a school record with a 48.31 clocking. The old program record was 48.9, accomplished twice, most recently at the NJAC Championships May 3, 2003.

Jackson, in addition to anchoring the 4x100 relay team, also finished first in her preliminary heat for the 100-meter dash (12.44) and second in the 100-meter final (12.28). She also was second in the 200-meter dash (25.64). Both Jackson, in the 100-meter dash, and the women's 4x100 relay team were provisional national qualifiers.

Diener's mark of 19:14.58 earned her a third-place finish in the 5,000 meters, and eclipsed the school record of 19:38.0 she set at the Messiah Invitational April 9.

Logan also finished second in the 100-meter high hurdles (16.75), while Hafiz was fifth in both the 100-meter preliminaries (13.14) and finals (13.00), seventh in the 200-meter dash (27.36) and second in the triple jump (10.35 meters/33-11.5).

Junior Nafeesa Yusuff (Vineland, NJ/Vineland) finished fifth in the 100-meter preliminaries (13.68), earning a spot in the finals, where she placed seventh (13.53). She also was 10th in the 200-meter dash (28.22) and joined Logan, senior Sarah Roberts (Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick) and junior Ashley Wright (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) on the fourth-place 4x400 team (4:34.93).

Wright also finished third in the long jump (5.01 M/16-5.25) and Logan was seventh in the long jump (4.54 M/14-10.75). Roberts finished 10th overall in the Mixed 10,000-meter run (47:32.41), but was the third female runner, earning her all-conference honors.

The Lady Raptors also received a fourth-place showing in the discus (33.90 M/111-3) and a seventh-place finish in the shot put (10.19 M/33-5.25) from sophomore Donna Kirk (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township).

On the men's side, the 4x100 relay team of senior co-captain Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City), sophomore Yaw Karikari (Iselin, NJ/Elmwood Park Memorial), junior Tyrell McGraw (Hammonton, NJ/Edgewood) and junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished fifth at 45.19.

Lamb also finished 10th in the 200-meter dash (24.42) and in the preliminaries of the 100-meter dash (11.74), while Karikari was eighth in the 100-meter preliminaries (11.54) and McGraw was 15th in the 100-meter preliminaries (12.34).

Freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) finished 12th in the 400-meter run (54.21), while senior co-captain Matt Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee) was fourth in the 400 intermediate hurdles (57.95). Freshman Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace) finished 10th in the long jump (4.90 M/16-1).

at NJAC Championships (Pomona, NJ)
May 7, 2005

Men: 1. The College of New Jersey, 209.5; 2. Richard Stockton College, 113; 3. Rowan University, 110; 4. Montclair State University, 79.5; 5. Kean University, 65; 6. William Paterson University, 20; 7. Ramapo College, 9; 8. Rutgers-Camden, 6.

Women: 1. The College of New Jersey, 2. Richard Stockton College, 3. Rutgers-Camden, 96; 4. Rowan University, 45.5; 5. Kean University, 35.5; 6. Ramapo College, 28; 7. William Paterson University, 24; 8. Montclair State University, 4.

Jackson wins 100, 200
at Lions Invitational

EWING - Rutgers University-Camden senior All-American Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling) captured both the 100- and 200-meter dashes and anchored the third-place 4x100 relay team at the Lions Invitational April 30 at The College of New Jersey.

There were no team scores at the event.

Jackson posted a time of 12.57 in winning the 100-meter dash, which included four other Lady Raptors: junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea), junior Ashley Wright (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) and junior Nafeesa Yusuff (Vineland, NJ/Vineland). Zimmitt finished sixth (13.04), Hafiz was seventh (13.15), Wright placed 12th (13.68) and Yusuff was 17th (13.89).

Jackson also captured the 200-meter dash in 26.28.

Senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten) also became the first Lady Raptor to compete in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, thus setting a new school standard. She finished third in a time of 12:15.35.

Senior Tiffany Logan (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Township) also finished sixth in the 100-meter high hurdles (16.89), while senior Sarah Roberts (Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick) finished 31st in the 5,000 meters in a time of 21:46.90.

Zimmitt, Hafiz, Logan and Jackson also finished third in the 4x100 relay race, posting a time of 49.39.

Wright also finished fifth in the long jump (16-05), while Logan was 12th (14-05.25) in that event.

Zimmitt and Hafiz finished fourth and fifth in the triple jump, respectively, with jumps of 34-02.75 and 34-01.25, respectively.

In the field events, sophomore Donna Kirk (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) finished 15th in the shot put (32-3) and ninth in the discus (106-3), while freshman Jill Cardone (Erial, NJ/Timber Creek) was 22nd in the javelin (84-07).

On the men's side, senior co-captain Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) finished 18th in the 100-meter dash (12.07), while junior Tyrell McGraw (Hammonton, NJ/Edgewood) was 26th at 12.60. Lamb was 21st in the 200-meter dash (24.85), while McGraw finished 26th (26.26).

In the men's 400-meter dash, sophomore Yaw Karikari (Iselin, NJ/Elmwood Park Memorial) finished 18th at 53.93. Freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) finished 21st at 55.89.

Junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished 40th in the 800-meter run (2:11.86), while senior co-captain Matt Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee) was fifth in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles (58.82).

The Scarlet Raptors' 4x100-meter relay team of Lamb, Karikari, McGraw and McGowan finished sixth in a clocking of 45.87.

Rutgers-Camden will compete Saturday, May 7 at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships, to be held at Richard Stockton College in Pomona, beginning at 11 a.m.

Sat., April 30 at Lions Invitational (The College of New Jersey)
No team scores
Rutgers-Camden winners:
* Tameka Jackson, 100 M, 12.57
* Tameka Jackson, 200 M, 26.28

Rutgers-Camden men's' 4x400 relay
eighth in Penn Relays heat

PHILADELPHIA, PA -The Rutgers University-Camden men's 4x400 relay team finished last in its heat at the Penn Relays here April 29, posting a time of 3:42.64.

The Raptors finished eighth in the heat won by Saint Paul's in a time of 3:25.67. Rutgers-Camden finished 7.13 seconds behind seventh-place Queensborough Community College.

The relay team included junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic), freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and seniors Matthew Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee) and Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City).

Rutgers-Camden's track team returns to action Saturday in the Lions Invitational at The College of New Jersey.

at Penn Relays (Philadelphia, PA)
April 29, 2005
Men's 4x400 relay (Heat 10): 1. Saint Paul's, 3:25.67; 2. Westfield State, 3:29.87; 3. Methodist, 3:30.40; 4. Alfred State, 3:31.37; 5. Howard CC, 3:32.37; 6. Thaddeus Stevens State, 3:35.31; 7. Queensboro CC, 3:35.51; 8. Rutgers-Camden, 3:42.64.

Lady Raptors' 4x100 relay
second in Penn Relays heat

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Rutgers University-Camden women's 4x100 relay team finished second in its heat at the Penn Relays here April 28, posting a time of 50.10.

The Raptors finished behind St. Joseph's University (48.23) and head of Widener University (50.33) and Towson University (50.68).

The relay team included junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea), senior Tiffany Logan (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) and senior All-American Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling).

That quartet of Lady Raptors will join the rest of the team Saturday in the Lions Invitational at The College of New Jersey. The Rutgers-Camden men's 4x100 team will run at the Penn Relays Friday.

at Penn Relays (Philadelphia, PA)
April 28, 2005
4x100 relay (Heat 11): 1. St. Joseph's, 48.23; 2. Rutgers-Camden, 50.10; 3. Widener University, 50.33; 4. Towson University, 50.68.

Jackson, Hafiz spark Raptors
at LVC Invitational

ANNVILLE, PA - Rutgers University-Camden senior All-American Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling) captured first place in the 200-meter dash and set a stadium record while winning the 100-meter dash, and freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea) set a school record in the triple jump as the Scarlet Raptors competed in the LVC Invitational April 20, at Lebanon Valley College.

Jackson blazed to a 12.4 time in the 100-meter dash to break the Arnold Field stadium record of 12.54, set in 2000 by Lebanon Valley's Meredith Roberts. Jackson also won the 200 in a time of 26.2.

Hafiz finished second in the triple jump with a leap of 35-01.25, which broke the Rutgers-Camden record of 34-11.25, set by current Raptor junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) at the ECAC Championships May 17, 2002. Hafiz also finished fourth in the high jump (4-3) and third in the long jump (15-3.75).

The Lady Raptors completed a sweep for the first three spots in the 100-meter dash as Hafiz finished second in 13.2 and senior Tiffany Logan (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) was third in 13.5. Logan also won the 100-meter high hurdles in a time of 16.8 and finished fifth in the long jump (15-0).

There were no team scores kept at the event, which also included teams from York, Ursinus, Albright, King's College, Goucher, Stevens Tech and host Lebanon Valley.

Senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten) captured first place in the 3,000-meter run in a time of 11:15.5, easily out-running her closest rival, who finished second at 11:52.2.

Junior Ashley Wright (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) won the long jump with a leap of 16-9.25 and finished second in the high jump (4-5), while Zimmitt finished second in the long jump (16-7.75).

Sophomore Donna Kirk (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) finished second in both the discus (102-10) and the shot put (32-9.25).

Jackson also anchored the Raptors' 4x100 relay team to a first-place finish in a time of 49.9, barely missing the stadium record of 49.74 set in 2001 by McDaniel College. Other members of the winning Rutgers-Camden team were Zimmitt, Hafiz and Logan.

The Lady Raptors' team of Logan, Wright, Hafiz and Jackson also finished second in the 4x400 relay in a time of 4:15.9, breaking the old stadium mark of 4:18.30 set in 2003 by Lebanon Valley. The Raptors finished second to Lebanon Valley's new stadium mark of 4:10.2.

On the men's side, the Scarlet Raptors placed three runners in the top 16 of the 100-meter dash as sophomore Yaw Karikari (Iselin, NJ/Elmwood Park Memorial) finished sixth (11.4), senior co-captain Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) was 11th (11.8) and junior Tyrell McGraw (Hammonton, NJ/Edgewood) was 16th (12.8).

Lamb also finished fourth in the long jump (19-1.25).

Freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) finished fifth in the 400-meter dash (56.2) and junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) was 12th in the 1,500-meter run (4:41.8).

Senior co-captain Matthew Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee) was seventh in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles (1:01.7).

The Raptors compete at the Penn Relays April 28-29 and at the Lions Invitational at The College of New Jersey April 30.

Zimmitt sets school long jump mark
at Ursinus College's Grizzly Classic

COLLEGEVILLE, PA - Junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) won the long jump competition with a Rutgers University-Camden record-setting jump of 17-5.25 and finished second in the triple jump (33-5) as the Scarlet Raptors competed in the Grizzly Classic at Ursinus College here April 16.

Zimmitt broke the long jump mark of 17-5 set by Attor Kludze at the Millersville Metrics, April 28, 2001.

There was no team scoring in the event.

Rutgers-Camden senior All-American Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling) finished third in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Jackson, who holds the school records in both the 100 (12.14) and 200 (25.02), ran a 12.88 and a 25.96, respectively, in her first meet of the spring.

The Lady Raptors also received a fourth-place finish in the triple jump by freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional) with a leap of 32-11.25.

Also for the women, senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten) finished 11th in both the 800-meter run (2:30.65) and the 1,500-meter run (5:08.31), while junior Nafeesa Yusuff (Vineland, NJ/Vineland) finished 15th at 100 meters (13.76) and 18th at 200 meters (28.03).

Senior Tiffany Logan (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) finished eighth in the 100-meter high hurdles (17.33) and 12th in the long jump (14-1.75), while junior Ashley Wright (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) finished third in the long jump (15-11). Senior Sarah Roberts (Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick) placed 16th at 5,000 meters (22:34.01) and freshman Jill Cardone (Erial, NJ/Timber Creek) was 26th in the javelin (69-11).

Sophomore Donna Kirk (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township) finished fifth in the discus (106-6).

On the men's side, freshman Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) finished 29th at 200 meters (24.55) and 40th at 400 meters (58.56), while freshman Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) finished 34th at 400 meters (55.42).

Senior Matthew Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee) finished sixth in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles (59.29), and fellow senior captain Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) was 10th in the long jump (19-0.5).

Raptor junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) finished 36th at 800 meters (2:08.95) and freshman Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace) was 20th in the long jump (16-6.5).

The Raptors compete at the Lebanon Valley Invitational Tuesday, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Diener, men's 4x800 set school marks
at Messiah Invitational

GRANTHAM, PA - Senior Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten) set a Rutgers University-Camden women's track record with a time of 19:38.00 and the men's 4x800 relay team also established a school record at 9:30.68 at the Messiah Invitational here April 9 at Messiah College.

Diener, who finished fourth in the event, narrowly broke the mark of 19:38.91 set by Tina DiGiovanni on April 3, 2004 in the Osprey Open at Richard Stockton College.

The men's relay team, comprised of senior Matthew Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee), junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and freshmen Patrick Eigbe (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) and Darryl Mendillo (Galloway, NJ/Absegami) broke the old school mark of 9:31.29, set April 17, 2004, also at the Messiah Invitational. Weng and McGowan were part of that old record-setting team as well.

The Lady Raptors finished 10th out of 18 teams (34 points) in the event won by host Messiah College (110 points). In the men's competition, Elizabethtown College scored 158.50 to beat a 17-team field. Rutgers-Camden finished last with one point.

The women also received outstanding efforts from junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown) and freshman Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional). Zimmitt finished second in the 100-meter dash in a time of 13.18, trailing only Gettysburg's Lauren Parker, who won the event in 13.08. Zimmitt also finished second in the long jump (16-08.75) and sixth in the triple jump (33-09.25).

Hafiz finished seventh in the 200-meter dash (27.65) and third in the triple jump (34-05.25).

The Lady Raptors also received a seventh-place performance in the discus (106-08) from sophomore Donna Kirk (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township).

On the men's side, sophomore Yaw Karikari (Iselin, NJ/Elmwood Park Memorial) competed in a pair of events, finishing 15th in the 100-meter dash (11.94) and 21st in the 200-meter dash (24.72).

The Scarlet Raptors return to action Saturday, April 16, in the Grizzly Invitational at Ursinus College, beginning at 10 a.m.

Rutgers-Camden track opens season
in Quaker Invitational at UPenn

PHILADELPHIA - The Rutgers University-Camden track team took a handful of its athletes to open the season at the Quaker Invitational at the University of Pennsylvania March 26. The meet featured schools from Divisions I, II and III, but had no team scoring.

Competing for the Lady Raptors were seniors Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten), Tiffany Logan (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Township) and Sarah Roberts (Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick). Running for the men were seniors Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) and Matthew Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee), junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) and sophomore Yaw Karikari (Iselin, NJ/Elmwood Park Memorial).

On the women's side, Diener finished 30th out of 35 runners in the 1,500-meter race, posting a time of 5:20.34. Roberts was 15th of 16 at 5,000 meters (21:49.42), while Logan was seventh of nine in the 100-meter high hurdles (17.11).

For the men, Lamb and Karikari each competed in the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Lamb (11.97) was seventh and Karikari (12.12) ninth out of 12 runners in the 100, while Lamb (24.23) was 13th and Karikari (24.28) 14th of 20 competitors at 200 meters.

McGowan finished last of the 27 competitors at 400 meters in a time of 58.29, while Weng was fourth of four athletes in the 400-meter intermediate hurdles (1:01.13).

The full Rutgers-Camden track team makes its debut April 2 at the Danny Curran Invitational at Widener University.

Rutgers-Camden track
ready for season

CAMDEN - By the time the Rutgers-Camden track team closed its record-setting 2004 campaign, the Scarlet Raptors had established 10 new program records, collected a trio of third-place finishes at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships and captured a second- and a third-place finish at the ECAC Championships. The Raptors put an emphatic stamp on their success at the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships when Tameka Jackson (Camden, NJ/Sterling) finished eighth in the 100-meter dash to become the first female track All-American in program history.

Jackson returns this spring for her senior season as the Raptors aim to continue their success on the national stage. All told last season, they broke records 18 times en route to placing 10 new marks on the books. Of those 10 marks, three individual record-holders return, including double record-holder Jackson, a senior who set marks in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes in 2004. Also returning is sophomore Donna Kirk (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township), who smashed the discus record on four occasions. Her final standard was 121-11, set while earning Honorable Mention at the NJAC Championships May 1.

On the men's side, senior co-captains Taiwan Lamb (Atlantic City, NJ/Atlantic City) and Matthew Weng (Lakehurst, NJ/Shawnee) return, along with junior Chris McGowan (Barrington, NJ/Gloucester Catholic). McGowan and Weng were half of the men's record-setting 4x800-meter relay (9:31.29), set at the Messiah Invitational April 17. Lamb was part of the record 4x100 relay (43.71) set at the NJAC Championships May 1.

Another key veteran is senior Tiffany Logan (Turnersville, NJ/Washington Township), who teamed with Jackson as half of the 4x100 relay which earned All-NJAC Honorable Mention. Returning to track after a year's absence is junior Carmen Zimmitt (Woodstown, NJ/Woodstown), a basketball star who also holds school track records in the triple jump (34-11.25) and on the 4x100 (48.9) and 4x400 (3:59.69) relays.

"Tameka is an All-American," said second-year track coach Joe Puleo, who is hoping his team peaks at the right time to make a splash at the NJAC, ECAC and NCAA Championships. "Tameka already looks as good as she looked going into the ECAC's last year. All the kids are easily a month ahead of what they did at this time last year. They are way ahead."

All Jackson did at the ECAC meet last May 15 was set school records at 100 meters (12.14) and 200 meters (25.02), finishing second and third, respectively. In her last meet of the season, she placed eighth in the 100-meter finals at the NCAA Championships May 29, earning her All-American honor.

Puleo is expecting big things from Jackson again this year, both individually and as part of the 4x100 relay team, which he hopes will qualify for nationals.

"Tameka looks awesome," he said. "She should set some individual records, and the girls' 4x100 record (48.9) is in jeopardy."

Kirk, meanwhile, should continue to raise the bar in the discus, while also competing in the shot put.

"Donna did great as a freshman," Puleo said. "She should potentially have a good season."

The women's team will get a big boost from several newcomers, including multi-sport athletes Joelle Diener (Rickenbach, Switzerland/Kantonsschule Olten) and Imani Hafiz (Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Regional). Diener has been a star on both the Rutgers-Camden cross country and volleyball teams, and is expected to challenge the school marks at 1,500 meters (4:46.80) and 800 meters (2:27.71). Both records were set by Jill Chestnut in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Hafiz, meanwhile, will compete in the sprints and jumps after a fine freshman season on the basketball court.

"She has the ability to break the long jump record," said Puleo of the school mark of 17-5, set by Attor Kludze in 2001.

Also joining the women's team are senior Sarah Roberts (Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick), who like Diener was an All-NJAIAW cross country runner, junior sprinter Ashley Wright (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) and freshmen Jill Cardone (Erial, NJ/Timber Creek), Danielle DiBlasio (Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade) and Aletha McWilliams (Maple Shade, NJ/Maple Shade). DiBlasio will compete in the hurdles, pole vault and high jump, McWilliams will compete in the javelin, discus and shot put and Cardone will throw the javelin.

Newcomers to the team include a pair of freshman from Galloway, out of Absegami High School - sprinter Patrick Eigbe and middle distance man Darryl Mendillo. Also joining the team are sophomore sprinter Yaw Karikari (Iselin, NJ/Elmwood Park Memorial), freshman long jumper Michael McClain (Sewell, NJ/Bishop Eustace) and freshman Gene Shepherd (Mantua, NJ/Clearview Regional). Shepherd, a distance runner, earned his first collegiate letter as part of the men's soccer team in the fall, which set a program mark with a 15-2-4 season.

"Our goal is to take good athletes and make them score at the national meet," Puleo said.

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