Shauna Smith Qualifies For Shot At National Title

UW's 400 meter hurdle record falls again.

Shauna Smith clocked in a semifinal run of 57.22 in the 400 meter hurdles on Thursday.
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June 13, 2003

Laramie, Wyo. (June 12, 2003) -- Wyoming's Shauna Smith highlighted the University of Wyoming track and field program Thursday at the 83rd annual NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Sacramento, Calif. The sophomore ran a semifinal time of 57.22 in the 400 meter hurdles, ranking her seventh on the day. Smith is one of eight hurdlers that will be competing for a Division I Individual National Championship in the event on Friday. Her time once again set a new school record, thus marking the fourth consecutive race that she has broke her UW record in the 400 meter hurdles.

"She had a great race," said UW head track and field coach Don Yentes. "She is running awesome and just keeps getting better and better. She has had a great season thus far and no matter what happens tomorrow she will more than likely be an All-American."

Cowgirl sprinter Jessica Fox was also in action on Thursday. The sophomore placed second in her heat in the first round of the 400 meter dash. Her time of 52.74 ranked tenth on the day and advances her, along with 15 other sprinters, into the semifinals.

"She wasn't feeling very good today and that shows in her time" said Yentes. "But, she survived and moves on to Friday and that is what this meet is all about."

Unfortunately on Thursday senior Quincy Howe ended his brilliant Cowboy career by not advancing into the finals of the triple jump. The senior from Perrylands, Trinindad, fouled on his first two attempts and then recorded a mark of 51' 5" placing him 18th. Howe ends his reign at UW with eight conference titles (2 WAC and 4 MWC) in the indoor and outdoor triple jump and he twice earned All-American honors.

"Quincy has accomplished things that will never be repeated at Wyoming," commented Yentes. "He has done great things for our program and we all are going to miss him very much."

Action continues tomorrow at Sacramento State's Hornet Stadium as Smith races for a National Championship in the 400 meter hurdles at 8:25 p.m. and Fox runs in the semifinals of the 400 meter dash at 9:25 p.m.