The triple jump was one of four events Gaines won at the 2010 NEC Indoor Championships, and the third-year Blackbird appears poised to defend that title. Gaines’ performance at the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York City made her the NEC triple jump leader heading into this week’s conference championship meet. Gaines, who won the 2010 NEC crown by jumping 12.36m, accounted for a personal best leap of 12.80m (42’) to finish third amongst collegiate entrants in the championship field at the New Balance Invitational. Kansas’ Andrea Geubelle (12.86m) and Baylor’s Jessica Ubanyionwu (12.84m) were the lone two collegiate competitors to top Gaines.