June 10, 2006
Sacramento, Ca - Erica McLain saved her best for last, and is now a seven-time All-American at Stanford University.
Entering her sixth and final effort in the triple jump on a hot Saturday afternoon at the NCAA Track & Field Championships at Sacramento State, McLain was residing in fourth place in an event where she is the American junior record holder and 2005 U.S. Outdoor champion.
McLain put forth her best effort in jumping 44-9 3/4 (13.66m) to move from fourth to second place in the final standings. Meet favorite Tabia Charles of Miami (Florida) won the competition on her second jump at 44-11 1/2 (13.70m). After her final jump, McLain breathed a big sigh of relief and joined her hands together.
"I just said to myself, it's over," said McLain, who earlier in the week gained All-American honors with a third place finish in the long jump. "I just told myself (before the final jump) to go for it because this is probably my final jump of the entire season."
McLain's eight points in finishing in second place helped Stanford chalk up 20 points and a 12th place team finish. Auburn won the national title with 57 points.
Russell Brown completed a strong 2006 outdoor season in the 1500 meters (3:45.06) with a fifth place finish to earn All-American status.
Janice Davis captured All-American honors for the first time in an individual sprint outdoor event, the 100 meters, with her sixth place finish (11.53). Davis, a junior, now has four All-American accolades in her career.
Ashley Freeman gained her second All-American honor (outdoors) and fourth overall in her three-year Cardinal career in finishing seventh in the finals of the 800 meters (2:05.89).
Jonathan Pierce, competing in his first NCAA outdoor championship, checked in with a seventh place finish in the 3000 meter steeplechase to earn All-American honors with a time of 8:44.17.
Rolf Steier also added All-American honors to his resume with a tenth place finish in the 1500 meters (3:47.27).
During the four days of competition, eight Stanford athletes gained All-American honors. The list included Katy Trotter in the 5000 meters, Brett Gotcher in the 10,000 meters, Erica McLain in the long jump and triple jump, Ashley Freeman in the 800 meters, Janice Davis in the 100 meters, Jonathan Pierce in the 3000 meter steeplechase, Russell Brown in the 1500 meters, and Rolf Steier in the 1500 meters.
Complete results are available at www.hornetsports.com or www.ncaasports.org
Men's Team Results
1. Florida State 67 points; 2. LSU 51; 3. Texas 36; 4. Arizona 34; 5. Arkansas 33; 37. Stanford 6
Men's Individual Results
1500 Meters: 1. Vincent Rono (S. Alabama) 3:44.07; 5. Russell Brown (S) 3:45.06; 10. Rolf Steier (S) 3:47.273000 Meter Steeplechase: 1. Josh McAdams (BYU) 8:34.10; 7. Jonathan Pierce (S) 8:44.17
Women's Team Results
1. Auburn 57 points; 2. USC 38.5; 3. South Carolina 37; 4. Texas 36; 5. Nebraska 34; 12. Stanford 20
Women's Individual Results
100 Meters: 1. Amberly Nesbitt (S. Carolina) 11.34; 6. Janice Davis (S) 11.53
800 Meters: 1. Rebekah Noble (O) 2:02.07; 7. Ashley Freeman (S) 2:05.89
Hammer: 1. Jenny Dahlgren (Georgia) 226-4 (69.00m); 11. Sarah Hopping (S) 189-10 (57.87m)
Triple Jump: 1. Tabia Charles (Miami-Fla) 44-11 1/2 (13.70m); 2. Erica McLain (S) 44-9 3/4 (13.66m)