Baylor
NCAA Indoor Championships
TF: Atkinson Earns All-America at NCAA
3/9/2012 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
March 9, 2012
NAMPA, Idaho- Sophomore Erin Atkinson earned All-America honors in her first year at Baylor in the weight throw on Friday at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Nampa, Idaho.
Baylor had a solid first day as a team with Atkinson earning a top-eight spot in the weight throw, and both sophomore Tiffani McReynolds and freshman Patrick Schoenball qualifying for the final rounds in their respective events.
"We had a very good first day with Erin (Atkinson), Tiffani (McReynolds) and Patrick (Schoenball) all coming out and making the finals," head coach Todd Harbour said. "I am very proud of the way they all competed, along with Brittany (OgunMokun) and Everett (Walker). Those had incredible indoor seasons, too. We are excited for a big day tomorrow."
Atkinson didn't have her best day in the weight throw, but came through with a solid effort to claim eighth place and earn her first-career All-America honor. Atkinson's first throw of the day ended up being her best throw of the competition and earned her eighth place overall. The toss of 64 feet 11.5 inches was sixth-best after the two-flight preliminary round and held up to stay in the top eight and earn Baylor's women one point.
Schoenball came through with a solid tactical race in the 800-meter prelims to place second overall and qualify automatically for the finals. Schoenball cruised in fifth or sixth place through the first 3.5 laps, but was boxed in on the backstretch and last turn. Heading toward the finish line, he found a crease and darted into second place over the final 20 meters.
McReynolds, who was the runner-up in the 60 hurdles at last year's national indoor championship, ran her best time of the season of 8.10 to qualify sixth and earn a spot in the eight-member final. McReynolds time is the second-fastest ever run at Baylor, just behind her own school-record mark of 8.03.
In the women's 800 meters, junior Brittany OgunMokun made a solid effort, but fell short of making the finals. She placed seventh in her heat and 13th overall with a time of 2:07.83.
In the men's 200 meters, junior Everett Walker finished 14th overall in the 200 meters with a time of 21.25.
Baylor will be back on the track on Saturday for the final day of action at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Nampa, Idaho. Field events will begin at 3 p.m. MT/4 p.m. CT, and running events will start at 6:15 p.m. MT/7:15 p.m. CT.
Complete Baylor Results
Men's 200 Meters
14. Everett Walker (JR) - 21.25
Women's 800 Meters - Prelims
13. Brittany OgunMokun (JR) - 2:07.83
Men's 800 Meters - Prelims
2. Patrick Schoenball (FR) - 1:48.59 (Advances to Saturday's finals)
Women's 60 Hurdles - Prelims
6. Tiffani McReynolds (SO) - 8.10 (Season best; Advances to Saturday's finals)
Women's Weight Throw
8. Erin Atkinson (SO) - 64-11.5 [19.80m] (Earns first-career All-America honor)
Players Mentioned
