BALTIMORE – The Coppin State men's and women's cross-country teams return to action Saturday morning when they compete at the Maryland Eastern Shore Cappie Anderson Invitational. The race starts at 10:00 a.m.
Through two meets this season, the Coppin State women have been led by the tandem of junior
Kadeem Curtis and freshman
Lunnise Gibson. They have both earned top 20 finishes in races at UMES (Sept. 5) and Delaware State (Sept. 12).
"My goal for this Saturday at UMES is to perform better than my first meet (at Delaware State)," Curtis said earlier this week. "Last week I ran slower than I did in our first meet so I am motivated to run my best time this week and continuing to improve with each meet. Running 22 minutes isn't where I want to be so I know I have some work to do to get to where I want to."
Curtis, who was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, put in plenty of work during the summer to ensure that returned to Coppin State in great shape. In addition to returning to campus a few pounds lighter, Curtis also arrived with blonde-colored hair.
While many of her buddies were sleeping, Curtis along with her friend Brietta Wilson, a junior at Wagner, was training on the beach each morning at 6 a.m. That was just one perk of living close to the beach for Curtis, who enjoyed running through sand as the tranquility of the water provided a soothing soundtrack.
"I was just running to run and to keep busy," Curtis said. "It was fun for me. I love running long distances and testing my strength. Running for a long period of time is relaxing. I am happy (head women's cross-country coach
Alecia Shields-Gadson) saw a big difference in my weight when I returned. I wanted to come back this year feeling fresh, having a different view on the season and compete at a higher level on a consistent basis."
An accounting major, Curtis started running cross-country in middle school. Once cross-country ends, Curtis will become a key piece of the Coppin State indoor and outdoor track and field teams. She runs the 800-meters during indoors and the 400-meter hurdles during the outdoor season.
However, she finished her outdoor season with a flourish by running on the 4 x 400-meter relay team at the MEAC Championships. She won the 400-meter hurdles at the Coppin State Twilight Meet, Goucher Invitational and Coastal Carolina.
For now, indoor and outdoor can wait. Curtis has more she wants to accomplish during the cross-country season.
Meanwhile, on the men's side, the Eagles have finished second in both races and have had
Mark London,
Ronaldo Ball and
Michael James all place among the top 10.
Following this meet, Coppin State will enjoy a week off before returning to action on Friday, October 2 at Delaware State.
