June 12, 2008

Results from the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

DES MOINES - Murielle Ahoure completed a successful junior season on Thursday evening in the 200-meter dash semifinals at the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Drake Stadium. In the semifinals, Ahoure ran in the second heat in lane one, and from the inside-most part of the track, crossed the finish line in 24.19, which placed her 16th among semifinalists.

Qualifying for the finals, which will take place Saturday at 3:37 p.m., were Nickesha Anderson (Kansas, 22.76), Porscha Lucas (Texas A&M, 22.89), Simone Facey (Texas A&M, 22.96), Samantha Henry (LSU, 23.04), Alexandria Anderson (Texas, 23.07), Kelly-Ann-Baptiste (LSU, 23.20), Tiffany Townsend (Baylor, 23.20), and (Natalie Knight (Florida, 23.28).

In the preliminary round earlier in the afternoon, Ahoure advanced to the semi-finals with a time of 23.70, third in her heat and fifth among non-automatic qualifiers. The top two from each of the five preliminary heats advanced automatically, while the next six best times advanced as well. Lucas ran the fastest time of the qualifying round with a 22.91 time.

Ahoure earned a berth in this event at last year's national championships in Sacramento, but due to a leg injury suffered a day earlier in the 100-meter dash, was unable to compete.

The Bristow, Va., native ends her season with a number of accolades, including the Colonial Athletic Association title in the 100-meter and 200-meter, while finishing second in the 200 and third in the 100 at the ECAC Championships. For her efforts at the conference meet, she was named the CAA Women's Track Performer of the Meet. She earned USTFCCCA All-East Region honors as well after her fourth-place finishes in both events at the East Regional in Tallahassee, Fla., two weekends ago.

The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships continue through Saturday evening. Mason's Ryan McCoy will begin his quest for the NCAA title on Friday when the men's triple jump qualifying round begins at 4:15 p.m. (5:15 p.m. EDT)