June 12, 2008

Results from the 2008 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships

DES MOINES - George Mason junior Murielle Ahoure made her way into the semifinals at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the second straight year as she earned a berth in this evening's 200-meter dash semifinals. Ahoure crossed the finish line in 23.70, good for one of the six qualifying slots following the first two in each heat.

Running in calm conditions at Drake Stadium unlike the strong headwind she faced in yesterday's 100-meter dash, Ahoure narrowly missed the automatic advance into the semifinals as she finished third in the heat with a time of 23.70. However, that mark would give her a berth in the semi-finals as it was the fifth-best time among non-automatic qualifiers. The top two finishers from each of the five heats, along with the next six fastest times, earned a spot in the next round. Ahoure will compete in the semifinals at 6:35 p.m. (7:35 p.m. EDT) later this evening.

Joining Ahoure in the semifinals will be Porscha Lucas (Texas A&M), Nickesha Anderson (Kansas), Simone Facey (Texas A&M), Alexandra Anderson (Texas), Allison George (Texas A&M), Charonda Williams (Arizona State), Kelly-Ann Baptiste (LSU), Samantha Henry (LSU), Virgil Hodge (TCU), Natalie Knight (Florida), Tiffany Townsend (Baylor), Cache Armbrister (Auburn), Lynette Rives (Belmont), Donniece Parish (Kansas State), and Dionne Gibson (Charleston Southern).

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 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).