Miami Trio Earns All-American Status At NCAA National Championships
June 13, 2008
DES MOINES, <?xml:namespace prefix=”st1″ ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags”?>Iowa– The No. 14 ranked University of Miami women’s track and field team wrapped up their 2008 season with All-American performances from senior Khadija Talley and freshmen Ti’erra Brown and Takecia Jameson.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Jameson and Brown have been ranked in the top-ten all season in the 400-meter hurdles and on Friday night, they were rewarded, as both earned All-American status in just their first collegiate season.
Jameson finished third in the final heat with a time of 56.75, her second-best mark of the season, while Brown placed eighth at 58.47.
For only the fifth time in school history have two women in the same event, earned All-American honors. The last duo to do it was Tabia Charles, who won the National Championship, and Brenda Faluade in the triple jump in 2006. However, Brown and Jameson have become the first freshman to complete the feat in Miami’s storied history.
Dominique Darden (3rd – 2006, 6th – 2005, 5th – 2004) and Patrina Allen (5th – 1998) are the only two to earn All-American honors in the 400-meter hurdles before Brown and Jameson.
“For Takecia to come into her first National Championship and run right near her personal best, it’s something special, you can’t ask for any more than that,” said head coach Amy Deem.
Talley finished her collegiate career in All-American form, becoming the first woman in school history to receive All-American honors in the discus. The Columbus, Ga. native placed fourth in the final round with a mark of 54.73m (179-07), the fourth-best mark of the season.
The senior is the second throws competitor to earn All-American honors and the first since Kimberli Barrett won the shot put National Championship in 2005. Talley reached the final round after she placed eighth in the qualifying round with a mark of 51.39m (168-07). She was one of 12 competitors to reach the finals.
Talley broke her own school record earlier this season with a throw in the discus of 57.10m (187-04). She also ranks second in the UM record books in the shot put at 17.02m (55-10) and third in the hammer throw at 54.92m (180-02). Earlier this week Talley was named the Southeast Region Field Performer of the Year by the USTFCCCA.
Deem added, “I am very happy for Khadija, going out as an All-American. The finals were very competitive and it was nice to see her compete like she did.”
As a team the Hurricanes end up with 12 points for the championships, currently placing them in a seventh-place tie with Arizona and Florida. ArizonaState and LSU are tied at the top with 31 points apiece.
“We had five freshman and a sophomore competing here this week, so I am very excited for the future of our program,” said Deem.
