CALGARY, Alberta, Canada - Nicholls State University freshman javelin thrower Jaimee Springer qualified to represent Team Alberta at the 2011 Western Canada Summer Games after winning the 2011 CALTAF Track Classic in Calgary with a throw of 43.62 m (143 ft. 1.25 in) to take first place in the women's 21 and under javelin competition.

Springer, who earned All-Southland Conference honors with a second-place finish at the 2011 Southland Conference Championships and qualified for the 2011 NCAA National Championship East Prelims in her first season at Nicholls, won the Clagary Track and Field Track and Field Association's meet by more than two feet.

Her victory qualifies her to represent Team Alberta for the presitigious Western Canada Summer Games in Kamloops, British Columbia Aug. 4-6.  The event features the top athletes aged 16-22 in the Canada's seven most western provinces and territories (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut).

However, prior to the Western Canada Summer Games, Springer will turn her attention to her first ever appearance at the Canadian Senior National Track and Field Championships in Calgary on June 24th.

Springer will not be the only Colonel track athlete competing for a national title.  While Springer takes the runway in Calgary on Friday, senior distance runner Jessica McLeod will take to the track of the Jamaican National Stadium in Kingston to compete in the 1500 m of the Jamaican National Track and Field Championships.

Links to both the Canadian and Jamaican National Championship Meets will be made available at www.geauxcolonels.com.