Complete Results (PDF) LANDOVER, Md. – North Carolina Central University junior
Zoe Ellis entered the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships without a conference medal to her credit during her college career. She left Landover, Maryland on Saturday night with two – a bronze medal in the long jump and a gold medal as the MEAC champion in the triple jump.
Ellis started her journey on Thursday's opening day of competition with a career-best leap of 5.60 meters (18' 4.5") to place third in the long jump. "It felt amazing," Ellis said about earning her first career MEAC medal. "I didn't even qualify in the long jump, so to go in and post two PRs (personal record) was great."
The Charlotte, North Carolina native had to wait two days before making another attempt at a medal in the triple jump, entering the event as one of the favorites to win.
On Saturday, she stepped up for her sixth and final triple jump in second place behind Florida A&M senior Ashley Ivey (12.25m). "I just stood at the back of the runway, getting myself together," said the NCCU junior. Ellis rose to the occasion a soared to a distance of 12.29 meters (40' 4.0") – the second-best triple jump of her career.
The MEAC indoor title was not hers yet. Ellis had to wait for Ivey's final jump. "I was pacing back and forth," Ellis describes those anxious moments. "After her jump, I saw her coach shake her and I knew it wasn't enough."
Ellis was the 2016 MEAC indoor triple jump champion.
"I didn't know how to act," Ellis said. "I was so happy. I have put in a lot of hard work all season. The first people I looked for were Coach (Marino) Drake and my jump teammates. I just hugged them and jumped on them. They were with me every step of the way."
Like a true champion, before the team bus even arrived back in Durham, North Carolina, Ellis was already tuned in to her next challenge. "Now my focus is on outdoor," she said.
Other top performers for NCCU were senior
Joshua McClam, who placed fourth in the men's long jump with a distance of 7.34m (24' 1.0"), and freshman
Armond Shaw, who finished fourth in the men's high jump with a height of 1.96m (6' 5.0"). Seventh-place efforts were posted by junior
Deandre James in the men's 800-meter run (1:54.66), sophomore
Deontae Williams in the men's 60m dash (6.90), and freshman
Kiana Seabrook in the women's 400m dash (57.79). Freshman
Bethany White placed eighth in the women's 60m dash (7.76).
As a team, the NCCU women finished 10th with 19 points, while the NCCU men also placed 10th with 16 points.
For a complete results, visit
www.MEACsports.com.
