By: by Hunter McKay
KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State track and field assistant coach
Derrick Atkins was inducted into the Dickinson State University Athletics Hall of Fame in a ceremony that took place on Friday, October 14 in Dickinson, North Dakota.
Atkins excelled in both indoor and outdoor track and field for four years at Dickinson State University. He has indoor and outdoor conference sprint records that are still standing, and he led his team to four Dakota Athletic Conference championships. Atkins is a seven-time national champion and won national titles in the 100 meters in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In addition, he was an eight-time NAIA All-American in the sprints and relays. Atkins led Dickinson State to two consecutive team national championship titles in 2004 and 2005 and a runner-up finish in 2003. He also holds the Bahamas national record in the 100 meters. Atkins represented the Bahamas at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing where he competed in the 100 meters and advanced to the semifinals. He competed in the 100 meters and placed fourth in the semifinals with a time of 10.08 at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Atkins was inducted into the 2012-2013 NAIA Hall of Fame.
In his first season at KSU, Atkins sprinters excelled mightily. On the women's side, he helped
Maileka Slayton post the fastest 400m flat track time and the second-fastest 200m flat track time in KSU indoor track history and a gold medal in the 400m and silver medal in the 200m at the ASUN Indoor Championships. On the men's side, Atkins guided
Sean Blassingame to his best season as an Owl. Blassingame grabbed a gold medal in the 200m at the ASUN Indoor Championships and a pair of gold medals 100 and 200 meters at the ASUN Outdoor Championships. Atkins helped guide the Owls men's 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams to gold medals at the ASUN Outdoor Championships.
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@KSUTrackFieldXC or by liking
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