Kaumba Collects Unprecedented National Sweep

May 28, 2004

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Oklahoma Baptist University's track teams finished in the top 10 in both men's and women's competition as Miriam Kaumba collected an unprecedented sweep May 29.

Kaumba, a junior from Zambia, won her second championship in as many days, claiming the 5,000 meters in 17:18.58, more than eight seconds faster than runner-up Petrana Petkova of Central Methodist. Kaumba, who won the 10,000 meters on Friday, became the first NAIA woman to win the outdoor 3,000 and 5,000 and the individual cross country title all in the same school year.

"Miriam was supposed to run that 10,000 on Thursday and have an easy day on Friday, but with the weather, she had to come back and run a tough 5,000," said Bison coach Ford Mastin. "It's hard to do anything the day after the 10,000, plus it was very hot and humid today."

The OBU women finished fifth with 46.33 points and the Bison men took 10th with 28 points. Azusa Pacific University won the team women's title and Dickinson State claimed the men's championship.

Saturday's action started at daybreak with Daniel Ellis taking fifth in the men's marathon in 2:32.13.

"That was Daniel's first marathon," Mastin said. "We thought he might make the top 20, so fifth place was huge."

In her final national meet, Kari Nunneley ran into a buzz saw in the 3,000 meter steeplechase. Nunneley was less than half a second off the old NAIA record in the event, but finished fourth behind three runners who eclipsed the year-old record set by Kristina Proticova, who finished second this year.

OBU placed two All-Americans in the 400 hurdles. Pat Brown, battling an arch injury in his landing foot, placed second in the men's event at 50.85 seconds, while Keyonna Hornbuckle finished fourth in the women's event in a school record time of 1:00.59. Also in the men's race, Leonarde Smith finished ninth.

"Pat barely got beat by two different people in his hurdle events," said Mastin. "He had the lead but took too big of a stride on the final hurdle and hit it hard. He couldn't correct himself in time to hold on. Leonarde did a great job to reach the finals as a freshman. He had a really good time in the prelims."

Mastin said Hornbuckle's time would stand as the best this season in all levels in Oklahoma.

Kyta Ferrer had a strong end to her freshman season. She placed second in the 800 meters in 2:09.78, a school record, and was a member of the fourth-place 4x400 relay team. She and classmate Kyli Bean joined juniors Hornbuckle and Melissa Mount for a 3:46.35 time and All-America status with another school record. The OBU women won the event last year with a 3:52 time.The split times were 56.1 for Hornbuckle, 57.8 for Mount, 56.7 for Ferrer and 55.3 for Bean.

OBU had one other school record at the meet with Dave Sitzer (1:51.3), Michael Elizondo (1:54.2), Landon Willets (1:50.9) and Travis Pearman (1:50.1) running the 4x800 Friday in 7:26.98, a mark Mastin said fewer than 10 NCAA Division I schools could match.

Deena Almohandis placed eighth in the high jump at 5-5, while Michelle Carpenter took 11th at 5-3.

In the men's field events, Dominique Chan Low finished 10th in the triple jump (47 feet 11.75 inches), and Jeremiah Campo was 15th in the discus at 138-6.

OBU's Saturday Finals

Men's Marathon - 5. Daniel Ellis, 2:32.13

Men's Triple Jump - 10. Dominique Chan Low, 47-11.75

Women's Steeplechase - 4. Kari Nunneley, 10:56.59

Men's Discus - 15. Jeremiah Campo, 138-06

Women's High Jump - 8. Deena Almohandis, 5-5, and 11. Michelle Carpenter, 5-3

Women's 400 Hurdles - 4. Keyonna Hornbuckle, 1:00.59 (School Record)

Men's 400 Hurdles - 2. Pat Brown, 50.85

Women's 800m - 2. Kyta Ferrer, 2:09.78 (School Record)

Women's 5000m - National Champion, Miriam Kaumba, 17:18.58

Women's 4x400 Relay - 4. Keyonna Hornbuckle, Melissa Mount, Chandra Huckaby, Kyli Bean, 3:46.35 (School Record)

Friday Finals

Women's 10,000 Meters - National Champion - Miriam Kaumba, 36:49.59

Women's 4x800 Relay - 6. Melissa Mount, Chandra Huckabay, Andrea Mount, Kyta Ferrer, 9:11.81

Women's Triple Jump - 18. Becky Hamm, 36-2.25

Women's Long Jump - 18. Deena Almohandis, 17-6.75

Men's 110 High Hurdles - 2. Pat Brown, 13.99

Men's 4x800 Relay - 2. Dave Sitzer, Michael Elizondo, Landon Willets, Travis Pearman, 7:26.98 (School Record)

Men's Javelin - 23. Mike Chavez, 170-9

2004 All-Americans

MEN

Dave Sitzer, 4x800 Relay

Michael Elizondo, 4x800 Relay

Landon Willets, 4x800 Relay

Travis Pearman, 4x800 Relay

Pat Brown (2), 110 High Hurdles, 400 Hurdles

Daniel Ellis, marathon

WOMEN

Miriam Kaumba (2), 5,000, 10,000 Meters

Melissa Mount (2) 4x400 Relay, 4x800 Relay

Chandra Huckabay (2) 4x400, 4x800

Andrea Mount, 4x800 Relay

Kyli Bean, 4x400 Relay

Kyta Ferrer (2) 4x800 Relay, 800 Meters

Keyonna Hornbuckle (2) 4x400 Relay, 400 Hurdles

Kari Nunneley, 3000 Meter Steeplechase