Women's Track Advances Three, 4x100 to Mideast Region Finals
5/29/2009 12:00:00 AM
May 29, 2009
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Alabama women's track and field team began competition at the 2009 Mideast Regional Track and Field Championships at Cardinal Park Stadium on Friday. The Crimson Tide advanced three individuals and the 4x100m relay team to Saturday's finals.
"I'm really proud of the team today," head coach Sandy Fowler said. "Basically, we've put almost everybody through to the final and when you can come to a meet of this caliber and put nearly everybody through, that means they came prepared and ready to compete."
The regional is used as the qualifying meet for the NCAA Championships being held in Fayetteville, Ark. during June 10-13. In addition to the seven or eight at-large athletes selected based on performances throughout the season, the top five finishers in each event and the top three teams in each relay event advance to the NCAA Championships. An athlete must compete at the regional and finish among the top 12 in order to be selected as an at-large entrant.
The 4x100 meter relay squad of Audra Frimpong, Chealsea Taylor, Toni Graham and Heather Matherson advanced to Saturday's final with their season best time of 45.36. The Crimson Tide qualified with the sixth fastest time.
In the 100m hurdles, Alabama advanced two athletes to the final on Saturday afternoon. Kim Laing won her heat convincingly with a time 13.34 and holds the second fastest time heading into the final behind defending NCAA Champion Tiffany Ofili of Michigan. Audra Frimpong, running out front in her heat, looked like she would set an enormous personal best before clipping two hurdles. Frimpong kept her balance, however, and was able to run a time of 13.56 to qualify with the eighth fastest time.
"Audra is really starting to learn how to compete," Fowler said. "She got a little nervous in the final at SECs, but she's learned from that. Sometimes it's a Godsend when a person doesn't really understand, doesn't really know yet because they just get on the track and let things happen, That's kind of where she is at right now."
Talaya Owens also advanced to the finals in the 400m hurdles as she just missed winning her heat with a time of 58.20. Owens will get in the blocks in Saturday's final with the seventh fastest time in the prelims.
Lynda Cooper, school record holder of both the indoor and outdoor pole vault, put a wrap on her illustrious Alabama career in the pole vault. The senior finished 14th clearing the bar set at 12-10.
"I think Lynda ended on a bit of a sad note because I think she really feels, and I believe too, that she could've made it through this meet," Fowler said. "She is our school record holder and she's had a great career with Alabama. She's been extremely valuable to the team and we're excited to see what comes next for her."
Angelica Howard, SEC Champion in the hammer throw, had a tough day in the hammer throw and finished 18th with a throw of 175-9 ending her season in the event. Howard returns tomorrow for the shot put competition.
Kelsey Johnson put an end to her impressive freshman campaign becoming Alabama's first-ever 5,000m competitor at the Mideast Region Championships since they began seven years ago. The cross country All-SEC freshman finished 13th with a time of 17:13.37.
Taylor also finished 17th in the 200m dash with a time of 24.48.
The Alabama ladies will return to the track on Saturday for the javelin scheduled for an 11:00 a.m. EST start. Running events will commence at 4:00 p.m. EST with the 4x100m relay final.
Players Mentioned
