Gaines has held the NEC’s 60-meter hurdles crown for each of the past two seasons and the third-year Blackbird doesn’t appear ready to relinquish the honor. Beginning to regain the championship form that has earned her two NEC Indoor MVP awards, Gaines hurdled her way to the top of the conference leader board. The veteran hurdler crossed the line in 8.61s to place third amongst a 53-entrant field at New York City’s Gotham Cup. Although it stands 0.11 second slower than the personal record she set at the 2010 ECAC Indoor Championships, Gaines’ latest 60-meter hurdles performance ranks 53rd on the NCAA Division I leader board through Jan. 16.