University of Richmond Athletics
University of Richmond
USA Outdoor Championships
Young Sets School Record In 400-Meter Dash; Qualifies For Semifinals At USA Championships
06/22/2007 | Women's Track & Field
June 21, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Richmond sophomore Jessica Young broke her own record in the 400-meter dash Thursday to qualify for the semifinals at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.Young, the youngest runner to qualify for the senior women's 400 dash, ran a new school record 52.47 seconds to finish fourth in her first round heat. The top two runners in each of the four first round heats automatically advanced to Friday's semifinals, along with the next eight-fastest times. Young had the 10th fastest first round time and had the second fastest time among those that qualified by time.
The Columbia, S.C. native was in the fastest of the first round heats. South Carolina's Natasha Hastings, who has the fastest 400 time in the world this spring, finished first in 51.07, Olympic Gold medalist Monique Henderson was second in 51.62 and Debbie Dunn took third in 51.88.
"She felt good through the first 200 meters, she was running with those girls, but then she backed off a little bit and finished strong down the stretch," Richmond women's coach Lori Taylor said. "She was very impressive, with 100 meters to go she got back to her arm drive and knee drive and kept her form. She finished strong."
Young will run in the semifinals on Friday evening. The semifinals consist of two eight-runner sections.
"She's in a position to be eligible for one of the US teams, either for the World Championships, Pan American or North American/Central America Championships," Taylor said. "She has to run well to make one of those teams, but she's put herself in good position."
Young was an indoor (55m) and outdoor (400m) All-American this year and is the Spider outdoor school record holder in the 100, 200, 300 and 400 dashes. Last summer Young competed in the World Junior Nationals Championships in Beijing, China, earning a gold medal in the 4x400 relay.
Also competing for the Spiders will be freshman Matt Llano. Llano will race in the junior (under-20) men's 10,000 run, which will take place Friday evening at 9:00 p.m. Additionally, incoming freshman Monica Howard, who is a recent graduate of Wilmington High School in Wilmington, Ohio, will compete in the junior women's discus throw which is schedule for 1:30 p.m. on Friday.
For complete LIVE results visit the USATF website: click here
Television coverage will be as follows:
Friday, 8-9 p.m., ESPN2
Saturday, 2-3 p.m., NBC
Saturday, 7-8 p.m., ESPN2
Sunday, 1-3 p.m., NBC
