Williams Takes Third In 100-Meters At NCAA
June 13, 2003
Sacramento, CA (hurricanesports.com) – University of Miami sophomore Lauryn Williams (Rochester, PA) earned All-America honors in the 100-meters and 4×100-meter relay to highlight Day 3 of the 2003 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, CA.
Williams, the World Junior Champion at 100-meters, finished third in a time of 11.31 marking the best finish ever by a Hurricane in the event and earning All-America honors for the second straight season. Last year as a freshman Williams finished sixth at the NCAA Championships.
“Coming into the race I really felt I could win,” said Williams. “The plan was to get out in front early, and I thought I was able to do that. Midway through the race I felt Muna Lee (LSU) coming up behind me and I wasn’t able too hold her or Aleen Bailey (South Carolina) off at the finish.”
Earlier in the day Williams ran the opening leg of the 4×100-meter relay that earned All-America honors with a seventh-place finish. The relay of Williams, freshman Charlette Greggs (Miami Northwestern), freshman Dominique Darden (Harrisburg, PA) and senior Sashanie Simpson (Miami, FL) recorded the fastest time ever by a Miami relay at the NCAA Championships and are the first 4×100-meter relay to earn All-America honors since 1995.
“It was nice that such a young team was able to reach the final,” said head coach Amy Deem after the race. “We certainly could have run better today, but with three of the four legs returning, it bodes well for the future.”
The final was one of the fastest in NCAA history with three teams running under 43 seconds. LSU won with a time of 42.55 while South Carolina finished second (42.83). Texas took third (42.86).
Greggs, who is ranked fourth in the nation in the 400-meters, finished second in her semifinal heat of the 400-meters to qualify for Saturday’s final. Greggs recorded the second fastest time in school history despite easing up over the final 50 meters. He time was the fifth fastest of the semifinals.
“My goal today was to finish in the top three and advance to tomorrow’s final,” said Greggs. “The race was not what I expected. I felt very comfortable the entire way and did not have to work as hard as I thought I would. It definitely gives me confidence heading into tomorrow’s final.”
The 400-meter final is scheduled for Saturday at 7:20 p.m. (PT). Greggs will also anchor the 4×400-meter relay in the relay final at 9:20 p.m. (PT).
