March 13, 2007

METAIRIE, La. - The Division I Indoor All-America Team was announced today by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). Included among the list of honorees is George Mason sophomore Murielle Ahoure, who achieved the honor for her performance in the 60-meter dash. The Bristow, Va. native becomes George Mason's 41st All-American during the indoor season and the third in the 60-meter dash.

The top eight finishers in each event at last weekend's NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships are accorded All-America status. In the individual (non-relay) events, if one or more of the top eight finishers is of another nationality, eight U.S.-born collegians are selected in addition to any foreign-born All-Americans.

Ahoure, running in her first NCAA Championships meet during the indoor season, finished with the 12th-best time in the 60-meter dash, crossing the finish line in 7.34 seconds at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Ark. She also competed in the 200-meter dash at the championships, placing 17th overall in the preliminary heats.

Including Ahoure, a total of 11 sprinters earned All-America honors in the 60-meter dash. Also making the team were Auburn's Kerron Stewart, LSU's Kelly Ann Baptiste, LSU's Sherry Fletcher, Texas A&M's Simone Facey, Tulane's Gloria Asumnu, Houston's Ebonie Floyd, Richmond's Jessica Young, Tennessee's Courtney Champion, Texas' Alexandria Anderson and Texas' Chaunte Bayne.

Ahoure, who competed at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last year as a freshman, had a remarkable indoor season this year, tying a 25-year old school record in the 55-meter dash and setting a new school record in the 300-meter dash, topping a mark that had stood since 1984. She also won two individual titles at the ECAC Indoor Championships in the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash to help lead George Mason to a ninth-place finish in the team standings.

With the indoor season complete, Ahoure and the rest of the Patriots' women's track and field team begin outdoor competition this weekend at the Hurricane Invitational in Coral Gables, Fla. The heptathlon and decathlon will take place on Thursday and Friday, with the running and field events slated for Saturday.