KEVIN JENISON
GoSycamores.com
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. ? Indiana State junior Lauren Martin (Schaumburg, Ill.) wrapped up the Sycamores competition at the 2009 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships today, finishing 10th in the women's triple jump.
Martin advanced to the finals of the women's triple jump, placing ninth in the preliminaries with a leap of 43'2.5” (13.17 meters). The junior did not have as good a leap in the finals today with a best leap of 42'5.5” (12.94 meters).
“All the athletes here in this event were just outstanding,” John Gartland, Indiana State women's track & field coach, said. “For Lauren to do as well as she did against this level of competition is a credit to her competitiveness. This was one of the few events that had prelims one day and the finals the next day and this event takes a lot out of an athlete. To be asked to compete on consecutive days under the pressure of this level of competition is a lot to ask of anyone.”
Kimberly Williams, a Florida State sophomore, set an NCAA Championship meet and collegiate record with a winning leap of 47'2.25” (14.38 meters). Yasmine Regis, a Texas A&M senior, was second (45'4.25”) with Sarah Nambawa, a Middle Tennessee State junior, was third (45'3”).
Martin and junior Kylie Hutson (Terre Haute, Ind.) were named All-Americans by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The award is given by the USTFCCA to the top eight American finishers in each event.
Hutson and Martin were also Indoor Track & Field All-Americans in 2009. Sycamore junior Erica Moore just missed reaching All-American status after finishing 17th in the heptathlon.
Hutson captured her second national championship of 2009 late Friday night, claiming the 2009 NCAA Outdoor National Championship with an Indiana State record vault of 14'5.25” (4.40 meters).
“It was like d?j? vu,” Hutson said today. “It was just like the indoor championships where I missed my first attempt at 4.30 meters, made it on my second attempt and then was the first to clear at 4.40 meters, putting the pressure on the others.”
Hutson was one of six athletes remaining in the competition but was in fifth place heading into the vault at 4.40 meters according to the number of misses. The Sycamore was the first to clear the bar, which really put the pressure on the other competitors.
“This is amazing ... I am just so excited,” Hutson said. “I feel like I still don't have my feet on the ground yet. To win both the indoor and outdoor national championships in the same year, and in practically the same way, is just unbelievable. I had really great support, though, from family and friends and it really helped me. It made me feel really comfortable out there and I could focus on making the vault.”
Hutson attempted to set a new NCAA Championship meet record but missed her three attempts at 14'6” (4.42 meters). The record is currently held by Becky Holliday of Oregon, who had a vault of 4.41 meters in 2004.
“Jeff Martin did an outstanding job in coaching Kylie tonight,” John Gartland, Indiana State women's track & field coach, said. “And Kylie was just tremendous. She remained composed and focused throughout the competition. This is just an outstanding accomplishment for this young lady.”
Vera Neunswander of Indiana, who defeated Hutson at the Mideast Regional, was second with Alicia Rue of Minnesota and Mary Saxer of Notre Dame tying for third. Katie Stripling of Arkansas finished fifth and Carrie Kayes of Akron was sixth.
The results from the outdoor championship nearly mirrored those from the 2009 Indoor Championship where Hutson cleared 14'3.25” and then had to wait as three other competitors took their shot at the height, all three failing to clear the bar as Hutson won her first national championship.
Hutson is only the second member of the Indiana State women's track & field team to win a national championship in any event. Holli Hyche, an All-American sprinter for the Sycamores, won three outdoor championships and four indoor championships from 1993 through 1994. Hyche won titles in the 55 meters and 200 meters during the indoor season and in the 100 meters and 200 meters during the outdoor season.
This is the second time that Hutson has set an all-time Indiana State and all-time Missouri Valley Conference record in the pole vault while winning the championship.
The Sycamore women finished in a tie for 29th in the team standings with 10 points along with Indiana, Colorado, Providence, Texas Tech and Arkansas. Texas A&M won the team championship with 50 points with Oregon second with 43 points, Arizona State third with 41 and Florida State fourth with 40 points.
