From theciaa.com:
BOWIE, MD – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announces its 2019 Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Year, as voted by the CIAA Track & Field Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association. These outstanding student-athletes were formally recognized today during a ceremony at the CIAA Track & Field Championships. Saint Augustine’s University junior Shannon Kalawan was named Women’s Track Athlete of the Year and Virginia State University junior Jeia Gilliam was named Women’s Field Athlete of the Year. Men’s Track Athlete of the Year was Claflin University freshman Derick St. Jean and Lincoln University (PA) senior Solomon Potter was named Men’s Field Athlete of the Year.
Kalawan is one of the top sprinters in the country. She has the best time in all of Division II in the 400 hurdles this outdoor season and ranks among the top 10 in the 400 meters. The Westmoreland, Jamaica native is also apart of the SAU 4×400 relay team that has the fastest time in the country this season as well as the 4×100 team that is fifth nationally. Kalawan has won three CIAA Women’s Track Athlete of the Year awards, including one during the indoor season. She is the defending Division II women’s outdoor national champion in the 400 hurdles, 400 dash and 4×400 relay.
Jeia Gilliam is one of the top performers in the nation in a trio of events as she ranks third nationally in the discus, 19th in the shot put, and 30th in the javelin throw. A native of Houston, TX, Gilliam is an NCAA provisional or automatic qualifier in all three events and has the CIAA’s best marks in all three this outdoor season.
St. Jean is an NCAA provisional qualifier in both the 200m and 400m this outdoor season. The Roseau, Dominica native is ranks fourth nationally in the 400 meters and tops in the CIAA in the event. He is also a member of the Claflin 4×400 and 4×100 relay teams that rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in the CIAA.
Potter is the CIAA’s top performer in both the discus and shot put this outdoor season. The senior from Williamstown, NJ also ranks fourth in the conference in the javelin. Potter was a two-time CIAA field athlete of the week recipient this season
