ULM TRACK AND FIELD FINISHES AT REGIONAL MEET

May 26, 2007

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The ULM track and field team finished the 2007 outdoor season on a high note, picking up a ninth place finish from freshman Natasha Washington at the NCAA Mideast Regional at Audrey J. Walton Stadium in Columbia, Mo. on Saturday.

Washington posted a career-best 12.58-meter jump on her second attempt to reach the finals and finish in the top ten. The DeRidder, La. native finished the meet as the highest-placing freshman in the event.

"Obviously the highlight was Natasha Washington doing as well as she did and getting into the finals," ULM head coach J.D. MALONE said. The 4 X 400 didn't run as well as they are capable. Maya [Aden] started strong, but was tripped up and fell out of contention. We are young but must keep qualifying for regional competitions."

Aden finished the 3000-meter steeplechase with a time of 9:18.69, good for 20th overall at the meet.

In the 4 X 400 meter relay, the team of juniors Malcolm Bosworth and Kendrick Shepherd and sophomores Andrew Opata and Mychal Word finished 14th overall with a time of 3:11.56.

Following up an 18th-place finish in the discus, thrower Walt Williams capped a fantastic senior campaign with a 21st-place finish in the shot put after a throw of 16.28 meters. Williams' top throw came on his first attempt in the event. The Carriacou, Grenada native fouled on his two subsequent attempts.

The Warhawks finished the two-day meet with four top-15 performances, highlighted by Washington's ninth place finish in the triple jump on Saturday and sophomore Heather Davis' 11th-place finish in the high jump.