Barrett Win National Title
March 11, 2005
Fayetteville, Ark. (hurricanesports.com) – Senior Kim Barrett (Miami Gulliver Prep) solidified her status as the nation’s top thrower winning the national title in the shot put on Friday and the University of Miami women’s track and field team is in third place with 14 points after the first day of competition at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship in Fayetteville, Ark.
Barrett, who has now won five times in six events this season including the ACC title two weeks ago, recorded her winning throw of 18.10 meters (59-04.75) on her final attempt of the competition. Her winning throw was almost one foot farther than her nearest competitor.
Barrett becomes the fourth Hurricane woman in school-history to win an individual track and field national championship joining Gillian Russell who won five national titles in the hurdles from 1992-95, Yolanda McCray who won the NCAA title in the 100-meter hurdles in 1999, and Lauryn Williams who captured the 100-meter title last season.
The Hurricanes had two long jumpers earn All-American honors Friday. Sophomore Tabia Charles (Pickering, Ontario) earned All-American honors for the fourth time placing seventh with a leap of 6.28 meters (20-07.25). Fellow sophomore Brenda Faluade (Katy, Texas) placed ninth with mark of 6.18 meters (20-03.50) to earn All-American honors for the third time.
Junior Dominique Darden (Harrisburg, Pa.) finished seventh in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.14 seconds earning All-American honors for the sixth-time of her UM career. Her time is a personal-best and marks the third fastest time in school-history.
In the 400-meters, sophomore All-American Ginou Etienne (Miami Central) finished third in her preliminary heat with a time of 52.65 to qualify for Saturday’s final. Etienne’s time established a new school-record and was the sixth fastest of the qualifying round.
Miami continues its quest for the 2005 National Championship Saturday.
Kim Barrett will attempt to become the first Hurricane in school-history to win two individual National titles in one NCAA Championship meet when she competes in the weight throw. Charles and Faluade return to action in the triple jump, and Amber Williams (Succasunna, N.J.) will compete in the pentathlon. The third ranked women’s 4×400-meter relay will also be competing on Saturday.
