George wins 400m in Nigeria, on to Olympics

FAYETTEVILLE – Running at the 2012 All Nigeria Athletics Championships, University of Arkansas sprinter Regina George ran to a national title at 400 meters Thursday and will represent the country of Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. George crossed the finish line in a time of 51.17, dipping below the Olympic ‘A’ standard of 51.55.

At the Nigerian Championships, George finished ahead of Omolara Omotosho (51.28) and Bukola Abogunloko (51.72), respectively. With her performance, George also broke her own school record which she previously set earlier this month at the 2012 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Des Moines, Iowa. She replaced the old mark of 51.57 which she ran in the semifinal round of the NCAA meet.

George just completed her junior season with the Razorbacks. During the year, she won the SEC outdoor title at 400 meters and was a five-time All-America performer, twice indoor and three times outdoor. George was the national indoor runner-up at 400 meters and finished fourth in the event at the outdoor meet. She now owns the three-fastest times in school history.

The 66th edition of the All Nigeria Athletics Championships was contested July 19-21 at the U.J. Eusene Stadium in Calabar. The 400-meter competition at the Summer Olympics begins Friday, August 3. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.