Day 1 Results | Men's Decathlon | Women's Heptathlon

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Hampton University junior Jahlisa Smith and sophomore Claudia Calder helped lead a strong first day for the men's and women's track & field teams at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor Championships on Thursday at Irwin Belk Track.

Smith (Plainfield, N.J.), the 2009 MEAC cross country champion, brought the Lady Pirates their first title of the weekend, running an 18:19.91 to take the 5,000-meter run. Junior Jasmin Branch (Hampton, Va.) finished third with an 18:41.03, giving Hampton an early lead in the team standings.

After one event, the Lady Pirates have 16 points, while Norfolk State has 15.

Calder (Kingston, Jamaica) sat atop the heptathlon standings after four events on Thursday with 3,045 points. She took the 100-meter hurdles to open the competition with a 14.77, before also winning the high jump at 1.73 meters. After throwing the shot put 8.33 meters, Calder finished second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.28.

Freshman Shaquanda Gainey (Camden, N.J.) tallied 2,745 points through four events to sit in sixth, while Tashana Willock (Kingston, Jamaica) recorded 2,506 points to sit in 15th.

For the Pirates, Bennett Taylor (Seattle, Wash.) scored 3,075 points through five events in the decathlon to sit in sixth, while Wayne Thomas (Chesterfield, Va.) sat in seventh through five events with 3,042 points.

Senior David Kimani (Kenya) finished seventh in the 5,000-meter run by running a 15:52.58. Norfolk State swept the top three spots, with Amos Kiposqei winning the title.

Norfolk State leads the men's team standings after one event with 28 points. The Pirates sit fourth with two points.

The MEAC Championships will continue on Friday, with the conclusion of the women's heptathlon at 10 a.m. Follow along via live results at www.MEACsports.com, and for more information on Hampton University track & field, please call the Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811, or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.