Eleven track and field athletes from Community College of Philadelphia captured All-America honors for the 2019 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field season, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), which has released the names of honorees.
These student athletes, many of whom have practiced two hours a day, four to five times a week, during the fall and the spring semesters, earned USTFCCCA All-America honors by virtue of finishing among the top-8 of their respective events at the 2019 NJCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in May in Utica, New York.
Many of the CCP athletes participate in Cross Country meets in fall and then prepare for track and field in the spring. “They work really hard,” said Robert Taylor, who coaches the men and women’s track and field teams and cross-country team at CCP. “They begin was early as August and practice two hours per day, averaging four days a week. This is a very big commitment for these commuter athletes. They don’t live on campus, so they have to commute. A lot of them also have jobs. “
So why do they put up with a grueling schedule? Taylor, a former track star himself, says athletes gain a competitive advantage and gain mental toughness. “They love the sport. They competing and they love working together as a team,” Taylor said.
In addition to the recent hours in track, the Cross Country Women’s team won the Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (EPAC) conference title. The Men’s team placed fourth.
On the men’s track and field team, Sean Ringgold and Kory Wharton captured three and four All-America Honors respectively. On the women’s team Jada Erwin, Elizabeth Chukwuezi, Maisha Hutchins-Colema and Aleah Langley each received All-America honors in three events.
In addition, on May 16, Sean Ringgold was named the Eastern Pennsylvania Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week. Region XIX. Ringgold lead the men's track and field team who entered the NJCAA Championship meet ranked 16th (out of 28) by the USTFCCCA. The men’s team surpassed expectations and finished in 8th place.
Sean entered the championship ranked 16th in the 200m and finished 2nd in a personal and school record of 22.03 and a wind aided time of 21.91. He was also ranked 7th in the 400m and finished 2nd in a personal record of 49.79. As part of the 4X400 team (Sean Ringgold, Kory Wharton, Christian Nuelle and Jamile Khan)he lead them to a 4th place finish.
CCP Men’s Team Results:
Athletes receiving All-America honors and their events
Event | Athlete | Year |
4x400 Relay | Jamail Khan | Sophomore |
4x400 Relay | Christain Nuelle | Freshman |
400 Meters | Sean Ringgold | Sophomore |
4x400 Relay | Sean Ringgold | |
200 Meters | Sean Ringgold | |
4x400 Relay | Kory Wharton | Sophomore |
Long Jump | Kory Wharton | |
Long Jump | Donoven Cook | Sophomore |
Women’s Team Results
Athletes receiving All-America Honors and their events
Event | Athlete Name | Year in School |
4x400 Relay | Elizabeth Chukwuezi | Sophomore |
Triple Jump | Elizabeth Chukwuezi | |
High Jump | Elizabeth Chukwuezi | |
100 Meters | Jada Erwin | Sophomore |
4x100 Relay | Jada Erwin | |
4x400 Relay | Jada Erwin | |
4x100 Relay | Maisha Hutchins-Colema | Freshman |
800 Meters | Maisha Hutchins-Colema | |
4x400 Relay | Maisha Hutchins-Colema | |
4x100 Relay | Tianna Jeffcoa | Freshman |
4x100 Relay | Aleah Langley | Freshman |
200 Meters | Aleah Langley | |
4x400 Relay | Aleah Langley | |
5000 Meters | Jazmin Vazquez Lopez | Freshman |
About Community College of Philadelphia
Community College of Philadelphia is the largest public institution of higher education in Philadelphia and the sixth largest in Pennsylvania. The College enrolls approximately 28,000 students annually and offers day, evening, and weekend classes, as well as classes online. Visit the College at www.ccp.edu. Follow us on Twitter. Like us on Facebook.
Contact:
Linda Wallace
215-751-8082 (o), 713-302-9967 (c)
liswallace@ccp.edu