USA Track Championships to open in Indianapolis

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas Lady Razorback track and field program is well represented at the 2007 AT&T USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships and Finishline junior championships as 16 current and former Lady Razorback athletes compete for an opportunity to represent their country.

Widespread from the sprints to the throws, Lady Razorback athletes are represented in nine senior events and two junior contests over the course of the next three days concluding on Sunday, June 24, with the third live television broadcast of the event.

“It seems that every year my staff and I have more work to do when we go to the USA Championships,” Arkansas head coach Lance Harter said. “This is our largest group of current and former athletes at these championships and it is a testament to the hard work, dedication and success that the Lady Razorback program has had over the past several years.”

Coming off all-America performances at the NCAA Championships, Dacia Barr, Jessica Cousins and Jodi Unger lead the seven current Lady Razorbacks into the senior meet. Other Lady’Backs either finishing off or continuing their careers include Denise Bargiachi, Carly Bloomfield, Tominque Boatright, Etienne Chaplin. They join a contingent of seven additional former Lady’Backs, some of whom are considered either favorites or expected to finish well at the meet. The list of former Lady’Backs features Deena (Drossin) Kastor, Gi-Gi (Miller) Johnson, LaShaunte’a Moore, Sarah Schwald, April Steiner, Nicole Teter and Christin (Wurth) Thomas.

Over at the junior championships, freshmen Jennifer Fall and Megan Jackson represent the Lady Razorbacks. Fall will run the 400-meter hurdles while Jackson is entered in both the 3,000 meters and steeplechase.

Competition in the junior championships began Wednesday morning with the multi-events, but no one with Lady Razorback ties is scheduled to take the track until at least 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Thursday’s action includes the junior 3,000 meters, senior 800-meter prelims, 1,500-meter prelims, 400-meter prelims, 100-meter prelims and 10,000-meter final.

There are four opportunities to catch the USA Championships on television over the weekend. NBC has two live telecasts scheduled for Saturday, June 23 between 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 24, between 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ESPN2 is set to carry the other broadcasts with a live showing between 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Friday, June 22, and a tape-delayed show on Saturday, June 23, between 7:00 -8:00 p.m.

For more information about Lady Razorback track or about Arkansas women’s athletics, please go to www.ladybacks.com.