FSU's Hughes is All-American, Johnson Throws 52-6

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Florida State track and field team entered the third day of competition with two athletes vying for their first ever NCAA individual championship. Senior Makiba Batten looked to improve on last year's ninth place finish in the discus, while freshman Garrett Johnson was eyeing a title in the men's shot put. After the day was done, the Seminoles walked away with a pair of 12th place finishes in both events. With one more day of competition and seven events scored, the women currently sit in a tie for 28th. The men are in a tie for 35th after 10 events completed in Sacramento, Calif.

In the men's shot put, Johnson marked on his first attempt establishing a throw of 52' 6" (16.00m). But little did the Tampa, Fla. native know that would be his only mark of the evening. On his final two throws, Johnson would foul and have to settle for a respectable 12th place finish in his first NCAA tournament.

Senior Makiba Batten had trouble adjusting and could not establish a legal throw in each of her three attempts in the women's discus on Friday evening. Batten fouled each time and would go on to place 12th.

On Thursday, the Seminoles' Natalie Hughes earned her second straight All-American accolades in the 1500m run. The sophomore from Grand Junction, CO finished 15th in a personal best and school record time of 4:16.33. She earned the honor as being the seventh fastest American in the event. Along with the top eight finishers in each event, the top eight Americans also garner All-American status.

The 2003 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships will conclude on Saturday, June 14. The Seminoles will send four individuals into event finals as well as the women's 4x400m relay team. Competing on Saturday includes:

Lacy Janson, pole vault
Rafeeq Curry and Willie Johnson, triple jump
Laura Gerber, 800m
Women's 4x400m relay team (Gerber, Tamara Campbell, Evelyne Niako, Shauna Quinn)

For complete NCAA Championship coverage, check out www.trackshark.com.