CP's Dufresne Claims All-America Honors at NCAAs During Day Two Action

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2009 NCAA Championships Central

Cal Poly's Julie Dufresne claimed All-America honors in the shot put during Thursday's action at the NCAA Championships.

The competitors are halfway through the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and the Big West picked up its first All-America honor as Cal Poly's Julie Dufresne finished among the best in the shot put. The national meet is being held at John McDonnell Field on the campus of the University of Arkansas.

Dufresne's mark of 53-5 netted her sixth place and a spot on the All-America ledger. The throw is a PR for Dufresne and the second-best effort in Mustang history.

Cal State Fullerton had two competitors in action, but neither could advance to the finals of their events. Jameena Hunt was entered in the discus and recorded an effort of 155-11 for a 20th place finish, while Lauren Williams finished sixth in her 100 hurdles heat after crossing the finish line in 13.97. She placed 24th overall.

Cal State Northridge had a trio of athletes in competition Thursday, the most of any Big West school. Sherrina Lofton competed in the heptathlon and amassed 3,194 points after day one, putting her in 21st place. De'Shawn Waters competed in the 200 prelims, running 21.73 for a 22nd place finish. Reindell Cole was the lone athlete of the trio to compete in a final, but Cole fouled out of the long jump competition after posting the best mark during the prelim round yesterday.

UC Davis had its pair 110-meter hurdles in action in Polly Gnepa and Jazz Trice. Gnepa advanced to the semifinals after finishing third in his heat and 12th overall with a time of 14.04, while Trice barely missed a berth in the semifinals with a time of 14.17, which placed him 21st overall. He missed qualifying by just over .01 of a second.

UC Riverside saw Brenda Martinez, one of the favorites in the 1500, win her prelim heat in 4:16.67. She will now prepare for the final which will be run Saturday morning at McDonnell Field. Chad Hall also ran in a 1500 prelim on the men’s side, but could not advance to the finals after finishing in 3:46.68, fifth in his heat and 18th overall.