TOWSON, Md. – The team that was known as the underdogs came out on top as the Towson University women's track & field team won 13 medals over two days to capture its first-ever Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Outdoor Track and Field championship on May 6, 2017.

The Tigers recorded 163.5 points to earn the first-place finish, followed by Elon (158) and James Madison (140).

This Tiger Throwback story is presented by Hollenshades.

A meet which started out as dysfunctional, as described by head coach Mike Jackson, proved to not hinder the Tigers one bit.

"It was dysfunctional," said Jackson. "The timing didn't work, Zanae [Freeland] had to run the 200 twice in trials, the clock didn't work, it was rain delays but we didn't make excuses. We prevailed, we didn't make excuses for anything."

"It was a special day, a memorable one and a time we will never forget," said Jackson.

Lauren Coleman started out the day huge for the Tigers and became the first ever Tiger to win the shot put in the CAA Tournament, recording a school record toss of 15.29-meters (50'2").

"I was able to improve my throw about ten feet, and it was the first time I threw over 15 (meters) in a college meet ever so I just knew I was winning this," said Coleman.

After setting a personal record in the hammer on day one, Coleman used that momentum going into day two to help her win the shot put.

"We were really prepared that year," said Coleman. "We went in knowing we had the ability to do it and if everyone went in and did their job, we knew we could win."

Zanae Freeland became the second Tiger in program history to be named the Co-Most Outstanding Track performer of the meet. She not only ran on the 4x100 relay team, she also captured first in the 100m dash and 200m dashes. She is now the two-time CAA champion in the 100m dash (11.89) and the first Tiger sprinter to capture the 200m dash title (24.34).

"It was very exciting to win the CAA's," said Freeland. "We definitely worked hard, my group coming in as freshman were all very hard workers and were very determined in trying to win before we finished. So, it was a great experience to finish off with a bang.  I was surprised to be named the Co-Most Outstanding performer.  That whole day was a blur, everything happened so fast, but it was an amazing feeling."

The Tigers' 4x100m relay team of Jaina McLean, Freeland, Jamila Brown and Liz Reid timed 46.28 to win silver.

"It was one of the first events of the second day and we already went into that day in the lead, so we went in kind of nervous," said Mclean. "I ran first leg in the event, so everything started out with me, I have to get the baton to the next person as quickly as possible without thinking if they are going to get it, you have to just have trust in your teammates that they are going to do the job just as well as you."

Megan Kelly became the second Tiger to capture the 400m hurdles (1:00.66) after Ashley Adams won the event in 2010. She also won the bronze in the 400m dash with a time of 54.94.

"We went in wanting to win," said Kelly. "Knowing that it was more then possible and going out and actually executing was a feeling like no other.  The highlight for me was the 400 hurdles, that's my baby. "So, winning that was pretty great."

The 4X400m relay team of Freeland, Reid, McLean and Kelly concluded the day by placing fifth with a time of 3:48.29.

The Tigers also had notable wins from Zhane Washington who captured bronze in the triple jump with a personal-best mark of 11.85m (38'10.50"). Skyler Duncan became the second Tiger in program history to win gold in javelin throw.

"The goal is always play to win, if you don't win its still an improvement," said Jackson after coming off a fifth place finish the year before. "So, going out there and winning and sending shock waves through our conference never gets old and something we will always remember."

The Tigers went to Delaware and made sure to make a name for themselves. Everyone showed up and showed out. It was a true team effort.