Samantha Williams Jumps to All-America Status at NCAA Championships
June 9, 2012
DES MOINES, Iowa – Junior Samantha Williams of the University of Miami recorded a 13.34 meter mark in her fifth attempt in the triple jump to earn All-America status on Saturday at the NCAA Track & Field Championships on the campus of Drake University. Williams becomes the second Hurricane to earn national honors this weekend, as sophomore Thandi Stewart merited the standing in the 400 meter hurdles on Friday.
“I am very proud of Sam,” said associate head coach Calvin Robinson, who is in his fourth season working as Miami’s jumps and multi-events coach. “After a rough start, she stepped up in a very competitive field and showed that she can compete at this level. She has worked hard throughout the season and deserves this honor very much.”
Williams qualified for the Championships after registering the third-best performance in the triple jump in school history (13.43m) at the NCAA East Region Preliminaries on May 26. She notched a 13.10m in her third attempt on Saturday to make it to the finals, rendering a mark of 13.34m to finish in seventh overall.
The USA Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore., fall next on the Hurricanes’ schedule, ranging from June 22-30. Director of Track & Field and Head Coach Amy Deem will serve as the women’s head coach for Team USA’s track and field squad at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.
