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Track, field continues NCAA prelim competition

May 25, 2012
Roneisha Frye

Roneisha Frye

The Northern Illinois track and field team continued its run Friday night at the NCAA West Preliminary Round with two strong individual performances.

However, Roneisha Frye fell a fraction of a second short in the 100 hurdles, while Janay Mitchell was eliminated in the 200 meters.

“The ladies had solid races tonight,” said Huskie head coach Connie Teaberry.

“Roneisha’s 100 hurdles time was her second-fastest ever. She ran well, but her effort just wasn’t enough this time for a position in the next round. In the 200, Janay had a strong first 100 meters, but couldn’t hold on to finish strong. Both ladies will get focused on competing in the 4×100 relay tomorrow.”

Frye came a split second away from making it to Saturday’s final, crossing the finish line at 13.68 to finish sixth in the second heat, handily defeating Kansas State’s Ryann Krais and Wisconsin’s Dorcas Akinniyi in her first individual performance at the NCAA preliminary meet.

Overall, the Fairview Heights, Ill. took 31st place, but was three-hundredths of a second from the final spot. Arkansas’ Ivanique Kemp won the second heat with a time of 13.25.

Meanwhile, Mitchell – competing in her second event in as many days – placed eighth in the second heat of the 200 meters and 42nd overall with a 24.63 clip. Ashley Collier of Texas A&M captured the heat with a time of 23.24.

The Huskies will close out their stay in the Lone Star State Saturday, as Chanel Kellyman, Mitchell, Frye and Rasheta Butler team up in the 4×100 relay. The quartet hits the track at 6:15 p.m. as NIU’s last opportunity at advancing to the NCAA Championships, planned June 6 through June 9 in Des Moines, Iowa.

For more information on NIU track and field and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.