June 26, 2009

Eugene, Ore. - Charlotte 49ers track and field stars Darius Law and Aja Jackson both advanced to Friday night's semifinals of the USA Track and Field National Championships in Eugene, Oregon, Thursday.

The USA Track and Field Championships are being broadcast on ESPN, Friday (8-10 p.m. ET) and Saturday (7:30 -9:30 p.m. ET) and on NBC on Sunday (4 - 6 p.m. ET).

Law, the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Indoor Track Most Outstanding Performer, placed 14th in the preliminaries of the men's 400 meter dash with a time of 46.59 to qualify for Friday's semifinals, which will start at 8:20 eastern time. Jackson, the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Outdoor Track Most Outstanding Performer, placed 16th in the preliminaries of the women's 800 meter run with a time of 2:05.59 to reach Friday's semifinal slated for 8:55 p.m. Both semifinal events can likely be seen live during ESPN's Friday night telecast.

Meanwhile several other 49ers athletes prepare for their events to get underway this weekend.

Two-time all-America Pat Springs will compete in the women's long jump final on Sunday. Springs earned all-America honors in the long jump during both the 2009 indoor and 2009 outdoor NCAA Championships. Freshman Jake Deaton will compete in the junior shot put, slated to start Friday at 5:45 p.m. eastern. Freshman Joshua Foster will compete in the men's junior triple jump, Sunday and freshman Kristin Mitchell will run in the women's 3000 meter final, Sunday at 7:35 p.m. eastern.