Theophille, Okoro Lead Louisville Track Field on Day Three of NCAA Championships

Michelle Theophille cleared 1.83m/6-0 in the high jump, tying the fourth-best outdoor performance in school history.

 

June 8, 2012

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chinwe Okoro and Michelle Theophille highlighted the University of Louisville track and field team’s performance on Friday at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a pair of top-10 finishes at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

Theophille, who was making her first career appearance at the national championships, entered the meet tied for fourth nationally in the high jump after clearing a school-record tying 1.86m/6-1.25 at the BIG EAST Outdoor Championships in May. She went through her first three jumps with ease, moving on to 1.83m/6-0 with a clean sheet. On her second try, she cleared the bar but was unable to get over the next height, which was set at a school-record 1.87m/6-1.50.

 

Theophille, who tied for sixth overall for first-team All-America accolades, becomes the second-straight top-10 placewinner in the event for Louisville in the last two years (Rachel Gehret, fifth in 2011). Sophomore Maggie Gilbertson finished 17th.

 

Behind the third-best shot put mark in school history, Okoro grabbed a seventh-place finish in the event. She landed her first throw 15.82m/51-11 and improved upon that mark with a toss of 16.47m/54-0.50. Okoro’s third attempt and best mark, 17.21m/56-5.75, moved her into fourth heading into the finals. Okoro earned her second-straight All-America honor in the event with a first-team distinction after collecting honorable mention accolades a season ago. Teammate Khadija Abdullah, tabbed a second team All-American, placed 11th (16.58m/54-4.75) to make Louisville the only team with a pair of top-15 finishers.

 

Okoro finishes her career with three All-America distinctions, two school records (shot put and discus) and a BIG EAST title.

 

Louisville concludes action at the NCAA Championships in Des Moines on Saturday, June 9, as Charachesicia Lockhart is set to participate in the women’s triple jump at 11 a.m. ET.

 

For all of the latest information on Louisville cross country and track and field, log on to UofLsports.com, or, for up-to-the-minute updates, follow the team's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/louisvilletrack.

 

NCAA OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS (DES MOINES, IOWA – DRAKE STADIUM)

 

Friday, June 8

 

Women’s High Jump Final

t-6. Michelle Theophille – 1.83m/6-0

t-17. Maggie Gilbertson – 1.75m/5-8.75

 

Women’s Shot Put Final

7. Chinwe Okoro – 17.21m/56-5.75

11. Khadija Abdullah – 16.58m/54-4.75

 

-ig-

 

For More Information, Contact:

Ira Green, (502) 852-4857

Ira.Green@louisville.edu