DELAWARE, Ohio — The University of La Verne men's 4 x 100 meters relay team of Nick Gonsalves, James Francis, Robert Oshodin and Chancise Watkins was crowned the national champion on the final day of the 2014 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday.

The Leopards were behind the top seed Greenville (Ohio) going into the final 100 meters, but with his trademark long strides, the anchor leg runner Watkins got the baton from Oshodin and glided past Dmitri Holman of Greenville with about 25 meters to go to clinch the win for La Verne. Gonsalves started the race off for La Verne and Francis ran the second leg. The quartet's winning time of 40.52 seconds is a new stadium-, school- and SCIAC record.

It was the first men's relay title for the Leopards since Jason Neal, Anthony Hayes, Anthony Rice and Liron Wilson won the 4x100 in 1996.

Running in his final collegiate races of his career, Watkins collected two more All-America laurels on the day. The senior from Blythe, Calif., came in second the 200 meters (21.11) and placed fourth in the 400 meters (47.67)

Watkins set blistering pace in both events, clocking a stadium record 20.99 in the 200 meters prelim on Thursday and a 47.02 in the 400 meters prelim on Friday to earn top seeds in both events. But running six races in three days seemed to take a toll on him on the final day, especially after expending a considerable amount energy in the come-from-behind win the in relay.

Watkins finishes his college career with one national championship and six All-America honors in total (4x100m – 2014, 200m – 2014, 400m – 2014, indoor 200m – 2014, 200m – 2013, 400m – 2012).

Despite contesting in just three events, the La Verne men scored 23 points and finished tied for sixth in the team standings.

Watkins and Francis graduate, but Gonsalves and Oshodin will return next year as La Verne's top sprinters. Gonsalves already owns the school 100 meters record.