Hurdler Latoya James to Represent Delaware Women’s Track & Field Team at NCAA East Regionals
May 23, 2012
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
• NCAA East Regional Central / Live Scoring
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- University of Delaware sophomore outdoor track & field hurdler Latoya James will be the Blue Hens’ lone representative when she competes at the NCAA Division I East Regional later this week at the University of North Florida.
James (at right), a native of Kingston, Jamaica (Alpha Academy), will compete in the 100 meter hurdles on Friday, May 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the Hodges Track & Field Stadium. The three-day meet gets underway on Thursday at 11 a.m.
James, who earlier this year placed second in the 100 meters at the Colonial Athletic Association Championships and a week later earned All-East honors by placing second at the ECAC Championships, is ranked No. 32 out of 48 competitors in the event with a season-best and school record time of 13.58.
Ohio State’s Christina Manning is the top-ranked performer in the event with a time of 12.57 followed by Clemson’s Brianna Rollins (12.78) and Bridgette Owens (12.83), LSU’s Jasmin Stowers (12.92), and West Virginia’s Chelsea Carrier-Eades (12.93).
Should James post one of the top 12 times in the preliminaries, she will advance to the quarterfinals Saturday at 7:20 p.m. The top finishes from that race will advance to the NCAA Championships to be held June 6-9 at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
“Latoya has had a great season,” said Delaware head coach Wendy McFarlane. “To be runner-up at the CAA meet and at the ECAC championship is a big accomplishment and an improvement from last season. It is no surprise she is moving on the NCAA regionals. Her goal this season was to improve her performance each time she raced. During the indoor season, Latoya broke the 60 meter hurdle record seven times. She continued her success outdoors by breaking her own school record in the 100m hurdles three times. The field is very competitive this year, but I think she is quite capable of making it to the final rounds at the NCAA.”
James won seven meet titles this season, including capturing the 100 meter hurdles gold medal at the VCU Invitational, Navy Invitational, Colonial Relays, and Delaware Open.
In addition to James, Delaware junior Vicky Caruso also qualified for the NCAA East Regionals with the 33rd best time in the 200 meters (23.79) and the 45th best time in the 400 meters (53.93). However, Caruso, who captured the CAA 200 meter title earlier this month, will not compete at the regionals due to a nagging leg injury.
“It is unfortunate that Vicky will not be able to compete in the NCAA regional meet as a result of a nagging stiffness in her achilles tendon,” said McFarlane. “Although Vicky ran well enough to advance to the NCAA preliminary rounds, she was unable to race to her potential this season. I am hoping that putting an end to Vicky's season early will give her some time to heal and not cause further discomfort to start the upcoming season.”
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