Virginia TF: Robinson and Gay Pick Up Fifth-Place Finishes at NCAA Championships

// FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE //

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Track and Field Contact: Tom Fenstermaker

Robinson and Gay Pick Up Fifth-Place Finishes at NCAA Championships

Cavaliers conclude indoor season

NAMPA, Idaho—Senior Marcus Robinson (Richmond, Va.) finished fifth in the men’s triple jump and junior Morgane Gay (Bethesda, Md.) crossed the line fifth in the women’s mile as the Virginia track and field team completed action at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Championships at the Jacksons Track Center Saturday (March 10).

Robinson’s best jump was 16.17m (53’0.75”), his first attempt of the finals and fourth overall. The senior becomes the first Cavalier male to score a field event at the indoor meet since Keith Witherspoon placed fifth in 1976.

In the prelims, Robinson’s first attempt was 15.43m (50’7.5”), but he improved his second jump to a distance of 15.89m (52’1.75”). His third attempt was 15.79m (51’9.75”) and finished the first flight in fourth position.

Robinson was a second-team All-American at this meet a year ago, placing 11th. On Feb. 25, he successfully defended his ACC Championship at the Reggie Lewis Track Center in Boston, Mass.

Gay becomes the first Virginia individual female to score at the national indoor meet since Tomika Ferguson finished eighth in the 2007 triple jump. She finished fifth in a time of 4:40.62. After sitting in eighth at the 200m mark, Gay made a move on the outside just before the 400m mark to move up to the middle of the 10-athlete field.

With the fifth-place finish, Gay earns her fifth All-American honor. She also earned citations at the 2011 NCAA Cross Country Championships, the 2011 indoor meet (DMR) and the 2009 and 2011 outdoor meets (1,500m).

In the women’s triple jump, junior Dallas Rose (Pearland, Texas) finished 12th overall with a mark of 12.43m (40’9.5”). Her distance came on her third and final attempt after hitting 12.12m (39’9.25”) on her first and a foul on the second.

The Cavaliers open the 2012 outdoor season at their brand new track and field facility March 24 for the UVa Team Swashbuckle.