Source: www.guardian.co.tt
Story by: Clayton Clarke
Tonya Nero finished a creditable seventh in the women’s 10,000 metres finals on the opening night of the 2011 NCAA Division 1 Track and Field Championships at the Drake Stadium, Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday. Nero (Wichita State) set the early pace in the 25 lap race holding her own for first six laps. Her finishing time was 34:39:56 was over a second off her national record of 33:11:71 set on March 25th She came into meet with the second fastest time in the field. Semoy Hackett and Zwede Hewitt failed in their bid to advance to finals of their individual events. Hackett of Louisiana State University could only finish fifth in heat one of the women’s 100m semis in 11.55 seconds.
Her time was the 14th fastest overall and only the top eight advanced to the finals. In the men’s 400m semis Hewitt (Baylor) suffered a similar fate finishing fifth in heat one and 11th overall. He, however, was rewarded with personal best time of 45.51. The clocking improved on his previous best of 45.64 set at the Big 12 Championships on May 15. The duo had success in the relay events. Hackett was part of LSU’s women’s 4x100m which set the fastest time in the semis clocking 42.94 to top heat two. Hackett ran the second leg. Britney St Louis and her Florida State University (FSU)team also advanced to the finals. FSU finished third in heat three in 43.65 which was the sixth quickest.
Minnesota with Nyoka Giles and Aleena Brooks, bowed out after finishing 21st with a time of 44.85. Hewitt anchored Baylor men’s 4x100m outfit to the sixth quickest time in the semis stopping the clock at 39.09 to cross the line third in heat 2. Annie Alexander (Tennessee) captured bronze in the women’s discus finals with a throw of 57.55m. Alexander matched the bronze she won in the event in 2009.