U-M Quartet Successful at NACAC Championships
7/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
TOLUCA, Mexico -- Four members of the 2008 University of Michigan women's track and field team earned medals this past weekend (July 18-20) at the North America, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Under-23 Championships. 2008 senior Nicole Edwards (Winnipeg, Manitoba/Vincent Massey) and juniors Geena Gall (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) and Tiffany Ofili (Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti) took home gold medals, while junior Bettie Wade (Northville, Mich./Farmington) earned silver.
Gall, Ofili and Wade represented the United States and Edwards represented Canada at the biannual competition as athletes from 32 countries from around North America, Central America and the Caribbean took part in the event.
In the 1,500-meter run, Edwards crossed the line first, winning gold for Canada in 4:36.27. Edwards took the lead with 150 meters to go and won a tight finish over Lauren Hagans of the United States. Edwards also ran on Canadas third-place team in the 4x400-meter relay, running the second leg of the relay andclocking in at 54.2 seconds -- hercareer-best split time.
Gall added a NACAC title to her list of accomplishments, winning the 800-meter runin a time of 2:10.32. This past outdoor season, Gall also won the 800-meters at the Big Ten Championships, the NCAA Mideast Regional and the NCAA Championships.
"I was happy with the win and to help be a part of the 62 medals the United States took home," said Gall. "It is always a great achievement to represent the USA in an international meet."
Ofili, the two-time NCAA 100-meter hurdles champion, led a one-two U.S. sweep of the 100-meter hurdles, winning in 12.82. Kristin Castlin of the United States finished second.
Scoring 5,511 points, Wade took second in the heptathlon behind Jillian Drouin of Canada. Wade finished first in the shot put and took second in both the high jump and the 200-meters.
I was disappointed, said Wade. But I have been battling injuries since my first indoor meet, so all things considered, I was just happy for the opportunity.
Individual national titles by Gall (800-meters) and Ofili (100-meter hurdles) helped lead Michigan to a seventh-place finish last month at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Contact: Jeremy Reid (734) 763-4423
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