June 11, 2009

Results

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Junior Aja Evans became the first Fighting Illini All-American at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, highlighting Thursday action for No. 21 Illinois at Arkansas' John McDonnell Field.

Evans earned the accolade by placing fifth in the shot put final with a throw of 53 feet, 11 1/4 inches (16.44m). Now a three-time All-American in the shot put, this is the first time Evans has earned the honor at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. She matched her showing at this year's NCAA Indoor Championships, where she also placed fifth.

Florida junior Mariam Kevkhishvili was crowned national shot put champion with a winning throw of 55-5 1/2. Kevkhishvili also won the shot put national title at the 2009 and 2008 NCAA Indoor Championships. Evans' best throw of the day came on her third attempt. She is expected to compete next in the shot put at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships from June 25-28.

"Aja competed well," head coach Tonja Buford-Bailey said. "She came into the final ranked fifth, so for her to finish there is a good performance. Achieving All-America status is what you're looking for when you come to this meet, and she achieved that."

Senior Deserea Brown will get a shot to join Evans as an All-American tomorrow, as she advanced to the 400m hurdles final. Brown timed 57.03 in the semifinal, finishing fourth overall and second in her heat. UCLA's Nicole Leach easily had the top time of the semis, running 55.83. Illinois freshman Latoya Griffith also competed in the event semifinal, failing to advance after placing 16th with a time of 59.58. The 400m hurdles final is scheduled for tomorrow at 7:55 p.m.

"(Brown) ran about the same race she ran yesterday," Buford-Bailey said. "We're still working on some things with her stride pattern to hopefully knock another second off her time. But she made it to the finals and should be an All-American if she finishes strong tomorrow. This is her first Division I national meet, and she's running well."

Illinois' 4x400m relay competed in the event semifinal as well on Thursday. Freshman Ashley Kelly, senior Omoye Ugiagbe, freshman Ryisha Boyd and sophomore Melissa Bates were 14th overall with a time of 3:36.36. Only the top nine relays advanced to the final, with LSU running the top semifinal time in 3:31.09.

Kelly was running as an alternate for Brown, who typically runs the first leg of the relay. Bates had a particularly strong leg, splitting 52.2 as the anchor.

"Melissa just had an awesome anchor leg," Buford-Bailey said. "It's an excellent finish to what was a great season for her."

The Fighting Illini will conclude competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships tomorrow. After Brown runs the 400m hurdles final, junior Angela Bizzarri will compete the 5,000m final at 8:15 p.m. Bizzarri enters the race with the top seed time.

The meet will be streamed live on the link at the top of the page and also air on CBS College Sports Network beginning at 6 p.m.

Illinois Thursday Results at NCAA Championships
Q = Advanced to final

Shot Put Final
5. Aja Evans............53-11 1/4 (16.44m)
** Earns All-America honors **

400m Hurdles Semifinal
4. Deserea Brown............57.03 Q
16. Latoya Griffith............59.58

4x400m Relay Semifinal
14. Illinois............3:36.36
(Ashley Kelly, Omoye Ugiagbe, Ryisha Boyd, Melissa Bates)

Illinois Remaining Schedule at NCAA Championships

Friday, June 12
7:55 p.m.............400m Hurdles Final (Deserea Brown)
8:15 p.m.............5,000m Final (Angela Bizzarri)