May 30, 2008

Mideast Region Championship Central

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. --- Junior Alina Varpiotaite, seniors Tara Colvin and Erika Russ, and freshman Jacinta Scruggs had strong showings in their respective events Friday, the first day of the 2008 NCAA Mideast Regional Championships being hosted by the University of Arkansas.

Varpiotaite had the strongest showing for the Blazers as she posted a season best, lifetime best and school record in the 800-meter run. Unfortunately, the junior missed qualifying as she finished ninth after the preliminaries with a time of 2:07.70.

Colvin, making her fourth appearance at the regional championship, had her best showing in the 400-meter dash. She placed 15th overall and sprinted to a 54.26 time, the second fastest of the season.

Russ, coming off her victory at the Conference USA Championships two weeks ago, posted a 13.93 time in the 100-meter hurdles preliminaries. She finished 31st overall and fifth in her heat, recording the second fastest time in her career.

Scruggs posted her second sub-one minute time of her career in the 400-meter hurdle preliminaries. The freshman placed third in her heat with a time of 59.82 and 12th overall.

Both Varpiotaite and Scruggs will be entered into an at-large pool of contestants that will have the chance to qualify for the NCAA National Championship, June 11-14 in Des Moines, Iowa.

The action continues at John McDonnel Field Saturday with Whitney Mays running in her fourth regional 3,000-meter steeplechase, Penny Shields and Samantha Hamilton compete in the triple jump and concludes with the 4x400-meter relay.