NEW ORLEANS—The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced the student-athletes that received All-America status for the 2012 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field season with three from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) receiving this distinction, Chavis Taylor of Benedict College, Tanekka Brown of Claflin University, and Portia Wilson of Fort Valley State University. A total of 433 awards will be given as a result of performances at the past weekend’s NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Pueblo, Colorado.
Taylor clocked a time of 1:56.62 in the 800 meters at the national championship meet, finishing in sixth place and becoming Benedict College’s first track and field All-American. The sophomore from Spartanburg, SC, who was named also named South Region Indoor and Outdoor Male Track Athlete of the Year by USTFCCCA earlier this year, was ranked 13th in the country entering the national championships.
Brown finished eighth in the 400 meter hurdles at the national championships with a time of 1:00.99. The senior hurdler also received all-region and all-conference honors in the 100 meter hurdles as well as the 400 meter hurdles.
Wilson finished sixth in the 100 meters at the national championships with a time of 11.66. The junior sprinter also received all-region honors in the 100 meters and 200 meters as well as the 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay earlier this season.
To earn All-America honors, athletes must have scored any portion of a team point at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. USTFCCCA membership by a program is required to earn All-America awards.