Harrigan Earns All-America at the NCAA Championships
6/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Alabama women's track and field team wrapped up a successful outdoor season on Saturday at the NCAA Championships in Sacramento, Calif. Senior sprinter Tahesia Harrigan picked up Alabama's third All-American honor in two days with a fourth place finish in the 100m dash.
Harrigan, who was the last qualifier into the final, clocked 11.41 into a headwind to finish fourth in the sprint.
Alabama head coach Sandy Fowler was pleased with the outcome for Harrigan.
"It was a great day for Tahesia," Fowler said. "I think she wanted more, but that is the best she has ever finished at nationals and you can't ask for more than that. I'm pretty excited for her."
Harrigan joins Beth Mallory and Miruna Matoanu as the Tide's outdoor All-Americans for this season.
Aymara Albury also competed on Saturday in the shot put. The Alabama record holder finished ninth in the event, just one place out of earning All-America. Albury's top throw on the afternoon, 52'11", came on her first attempt and advanced her to the finals in seventh place. However she was unable to improve her mark.
"She got through to the final," Fowler said. "That's the first time she has been able to get to the final at nationals. She's got all of the ability and talent in the world and I think she is ready to carry that into indoors next year. She's ready to be a part of the big picture and to make a statement in the finals."
The Tide finished 17th overall in the championships with 16 points.
Fowler was happy with the way the season went for Alabama.
"I really think we had a great season," Fowler said. "I'm proud of all of the girls and how they competed. They were great in not only the smaller meets but in the bigger ones as well. The small meets that we went to helped our confidence level and that carried over into the major events. That's the way a season should build and should progress. It's always about the big picture."
