Anderson Qualifies for Saturday's 100-Meter Hurdles Final as Lone Toro Representative at NCAA Nationals
Junior Moreno Valley native looks for first All-America honor of career
May 26, 2006

Day One Recap

Emporia, KS -- Junior hurdles specialist Alexandria Anderson (Moreno Valley, CA/Cal State L.A.) was the lone Toro to make Saturday's final day of competition at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships as she claimed the 8th-fastest time amongst the three preliminary heats this afternoon in the 100-meter hurdles, earning the 8th and final entry by .01 seconds.

The Moreno Valley native finished third in her respective heat in 13.91, trailing the top two finishers by just .03 seconds. St. Augustine's Marquita Davis crossed the tape in 13.88, and was followed by Lincoln's Carla Thomas in a time of 13.90. Overall, Fort Valley State's Lynnsey Dailey blistered the field in a time of 13.47, .36 seconds faster than the 2nd-fastest finisher.

"She's running the best she has all her life and I think she can get under her lifetime best (13.90) tomorrow," begins CSUDH track and field head coach Warren Edmonson. "We're looking for 13.8, but the bottom line is she made it in the final."

Sophomore Grace Fitchett (Los Angeles, CA/Paramount HS) fell just short of qualifying for tomorrow's race as she placed third in her 100-meter hurdle heat in a time of 13.93, but finished with the 10th-best time overall, just .02 behind Anderson.

It was doubly disappointing for Fitchett as earlier in the day the Los Angeles native also finished third in her 200-meter dash heat, but finished 13th overall in a fleet field of 29 sprinters. Teammates April Panteau (Long Beach, CA/LBCC)and Brandy Zeigler (Los Angeles, CA/West LA College) also fell short in the 200 as their respective times of 24.82 and 25.01 placed them 22nd and 26th overall.

Anderson looks for All-American glory tomorrow afternoon as the 100-meter hurdle final is set for a 4:10 p.m. PST start. Of the eight total entrants, the seven fastest hurdlers earn All-American status.