May 27, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – On day two of the NCAA East Regionals at the Robert C. Haugh Track & Field Complex on the campus of Indiana University, freshman Julienne McKee and senior Leslie Njoku earned a spot in the NCAA Championship in the triple jump and 400 meter hurdles respectively, joining teammate Joanna Wright.
McKee, after falling just shy in the long jump, Thursday, took the 12th and final spot in the triple jump qualifying round with a leap of 12.56 meters. The freshman will make her first appearance at the NCAA Outdoor Championships as a Yellow Jacket.
Njoku will also be making her first appearance at the national meet after finishing 10th in the 400 meter hurdles quarterfinals with a career best time of 57.38 seconds. Her senior counterpart, Antonio McKay was not as lucky in the 400 meter dash as he took 23rd in the quarterfinal round with a time of 47.78 in his final race as a Yellow Jacket.
Melanie Akwule began competition in the 100 meter hurdles on the day where she took 28th place with a time of 13.66 seconds, tying her season best time recorded earlier this year.
Freshman Jonathan Gardner, also making his first trip to the east regionals, fell short in the triple jump with a 42nd place performance and a leap of 14.32 meters.
Shawn Roberts, will round out the Jackets’ time at the east regionals when he competes in the 1500 meter run quarterfinals at 6:45 p.m.
