Williams runs career best at USA Junior meet

FAYETTEVILLE – Freshman sprinter Chrishuna Williams turned in a personal-best performance of 54.61 in the first round of the 400 meters Saturday at the 2012 USA Junior Track and Field Championships. Williams finished fourth in her heat and 16th overall but will not advance to the event final. The junior meet is being held this weekend at the Robert C. Haugh Complex in Bloomington, Ind.

Running out of lane two in the first heat, Williams crossed the finish line in a time of 54.61. She replaced her previous best of 54.64 which she ran at the Southeastern Conference Championships in May. In each of the three races since her season opener, Williams has improved her 400-meter time.

Saturday’s race marks the end of Williams’ freshman season for Arkansas in which she earned All-America accolades as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team. She was one of two Razorback freshmen competing this weekend, in addition to Shannon Klenke who finished fourth in the 3,000-meter steeplechase Friday. Arkansas has no competitors scheduled for Sunday.

The 2012 USA Junior Track and Field Championships is a showcase event for high school standouts and top college freshmen. The meet will serve as a qualifier for this year’s IAAF World Junior Championships that will be contested July 10-15 in Barcelona, Spain. The top-two finishers in each event who meet qualifying standards will be invited to compete for Team USA.

For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Saturday Results
400 Meters (first round)
16. Chrishuna Williams – 54.61 (PR)