FINAL RESULTS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Justin and Josiah Brooks combined for three top-six finishers on the final day of the 2018 NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the Irwin Belk Complex on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University. The duo accumulated 12 points to put Lee University in a tie for 19
th in the men's team standings, the program's best finish ever at the NCAA Championships.
"What an outstanding weekend for the Brooks twins," said Lee head coach Caleb Morgan. "They once again lived up to their reputation of always rising to the occasion at the national championship."
Justin knocked 0.37 seconds off his Lee record in the 400-meter dash with a fourth-place time of 46.01 in Saturday's final. His finish was the highest ever individual result by a Lee athlete and was only 0.30 seconds off the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier.
Myles Pringle of Ashland was first at 45.35. Texas A&M-Commerce's Rashard Clark was runner-up (45.70) and Brandon Valentine-Parris of St. Augustine's finished third with a time of 45.78.
Justin recorded his second top-five finish of the day in the 200-meter dash. He stopped the clock at 20.90, just behind Valentine-Parris' mark of 20.89. Josiah was right behind with a time of 20.91. Academy of Art's Mobolade Ajomale collected the event win after crossing at 20.45.
"The 200 was a special event with Justin and Josiah making their first national championship final together," added Morgan.
Josiah started the afternoon in the triple jump. He hit 15.13 meters on his first attempt. With raindrops falling, his second jump was measured at 14.85 meters. His final attempt saw no more improvement as he hit 15.11 meters, placing him just outside of the final field of nine in 11
th place.
Audrey Smith was the final Lee competitor for the third straight night. After running in the 3000-meter steeplechase preliminary and final the previous two nights, the senior faced the 5000-meter run on a hot and humid evening. Smith was 19
th after the first 2200 meters and moved up to 15
th at the 2600-meter mark. She continued to make her move through the pack and into 11
th with 800 meters to go. She covered the final 400 meters in 1:15.72, her fastest 400-split of the day, to finish 11
th with an overall time of 17:04.65. Caroline Kurgat of Alaska Anchorage completed the 5000-meter race at 16:22.62 to earn the individual win.
"Audrey finished off a fantastic four years with our program just the way we wanted. She came away with two All-American awards this weekend," said Morgan.
Overall, the Flames and Lady Flames collected three NCAA Division II First Team All-American honors and added four NCAA Division II Second Team All-American nods. The top eight in each individual event are first team, while the second team designation is for positions No. 9-12.
Justin led the way, making the First Team in both events (200 and 400-meter dashes) he competed. Josiah was First Team in the 200 and Second Team in the triple jump.
Smith earned Second Team honors in the 3000-meter steeplechase and in the 5000-meter run. Emily Buwalda finished 11
th in the 800-meter run to place her name among this year's NCAA Division II Second Team All-America recipients.
"Emily did a great job in the most competitive 800 field in DII history. I couldn't be prouder of the year she had as a Lady Flame. I am thankful for both of the seniors and their help in establishing our women's distance program as one on the rise in DII," Morgan concluded.
