Complete Results

GENEVA, Ohio – Junior Kedeshia Simpson clocked the seventh-fastest 60-meter time in the nation, claiming the 60-meter title as she led the University of Alabama in Huntsville women's track and field team Saturday at the NCAA Division II Team Challenge at the SPIRE Institute.
 
“Just a tremendous day,” head coach David Cain recalled. “Our team performed great. Our sprinters really performed at a high level and our distance runners just continue to drop chunks of time. It was a long trip but we made the most of it. Finishing fifth out of 21 teams with only 12 athletes is pretty great. It was a great meet and we're looking forward to Birmingham.”
 
Simpson's time of 7.62 in the 60 meters also ties the program record, set last year by teammate Latrice Johnson who clocked a season-best time of 7.68 as well to finish second in the event. Simpson and Johnson's times were both NCAA provisional qualifying marks. Rounding out a 1-2-3 finish for the Lady Chargers in the 60 meters was freshman Katelin Barber making her debut with a time of 7.78.
 
Johnson returned later in the 200 meters where she would break her own school record she set last season. The senior lowered her previous-best by .30 seconds, breaking the 25-second barrier with a time of 24.99 to place second overall – her time ranks sixth in the nation.
 
In the 800 meters, school-record holder senior Leah Sparks came just .11 seconds from breaking her program-best mark as well. Sparks clocked a provisional qualifying time of 2:17.22 to finish fourth in the event. She has now shaved over four seconds off her season-opening time this season.
 
In the field events, sophomore Elisa Baskin heaved a school-record throw of 33-1 3/4 to finish 28th in the weight throw. Baskin bettered the previous program-best mark of 32-11 1/4 set last year by Jackie Doughty.
 
Senior Gwen Gammon notched another top-three finish for the Lady Chargers in the mile, placing second with a personal-best time of 5:03.94. Gammon was just under two seconds from posting a provisional qualifying time and just four seconds from breaking the school record.
 
Competing against many of the top Division II teams in the nation, UAH notched four personal-bests, six season-bests, three school records and four NCAA Provisional marks.
 
Next up, UAH will travel to Birmingham, Ala., to compete in the Vulcan Classic. The event is slated for Feb. 10-11 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
 
Division II Team Challenge – Feb. 4, 2012
Geneva, Ohio – SPIRE Institute
 
UAH Women's Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
1. Kedeshia Simpson – 7.73q#
3. Latrice Johnson – 7.84q
4. Katelin Barber – 7.88q
 
60 Meters (Finals)
1. Kedeshia Simpson – 7.62!SR#
2. Latrice Johnson – 7.68#*
3. Katelin Barber – 7.78*
 
200 Meters
2. Latrice Johnson – 24.99!SR#
 
400 Meters
20. Alex Beck – 61.33
 
800 Meters
4. Leah Sparks – 2:17.22*
 
Mile
2. Gwen Gammon – 5:03.94*
 
5,000 Meters
16. Haley Hancock – 18:55.00*
 
4x400 Meter Relay
11. Kedeshia Simpson, Eden Williams, Mariah Tolbert, Shaun-Pri Davis – 4:03.00
 
Long Jump
20. Desni Scaife – 14-9 1/4*
 
Triple Jump
12. Desni Scaife – 33-0 1/2*
 
Shot Put
11. Elisa Baskin – 36-2 1/4
 
Weight Throw
28. Elisa Baskin – 33-1 3/4!SR
 
Team Standings (Top Five)
1. Ashland – 79.60
2. Tiffin – 76
3. Hillsdale – 73
4. Ferris State – 54
5. UAH – 45
 
! – Personal-best; * – Season-best; # – NCAA Provisional Mark; % – NCAA Automatic Mark; q – Advanced to next round; DQ – Disqualified; DNF – Did not finish; DNS – Did not start; NM – No mark; FS – False start; SR – School record; FR – Facility Record