The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Women's Track wins two national championships on third day of NCAA Championships
06.10.2005 | XC: Women_Old, Track & Field / Cross Country
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sophomore Marshevet Hooker (San Antonio, Texas) anchored Texas' 4x100-meter relay to the national championship and then blazed past the field to win the national title in the 100 meters on the third day of the NCAA Championships. The Longhorns currently lead the championships with 31 points, followed by Tennessee (28), USC (18) and UCLA (16). One of the other potential national champions, South Carolina, is tied for 11th place with nine points.
"I don't know that we've ever been in the lead after the third day," said Texas head coach Bev Kearney. "We had a great day today and now it is just a matter of us coming out tomorrow and doing what we need to do."
Hooker, who had already finished second in the long jump and anchored the 4x100, posted an 11.16 to win the 100 meters by .13 seconds over Tennessee's Cleo Tyson (11.29). USC's Alexis Weatherspoon was third in 11.35.
The 4x100m relay's time of 42.87 was the third-fastest time in school history. The Longhorns finished .13 seconds ahead of South Carolina and .31 seconds ahead of third-place Tennessee.
Junior Ashlee Williams (Dallas, Texas) ran the first leg, subbing in for junior LaTashia Kerr (Houston, Texas), who helped the Longhorns qualify for the finals on Wednesday. Williams would later go on to finish sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (13.32) to add three points to the Longhorns total.
The second leg of the 4x100 was handled by junior Melaine Walker (Kingston, Jamaica), who went on to post the top-qualifying time in the 400-meter hurdles with a 55.32.
Sophomore Jerrika Chapple (Lancaster, Texas) ran the third leg of the 4x100 and went on to qualify for the finals of the 400 meters with a time of 52.54.
During the 4x100, it appeared that both Chapple and Hooker received the batons slightly behind South Carolina, but each was able to make up ground, with Hooker eventually overtaking the Gamecock's anchor Shalonda Solomon for the victory.
"She may have had a couple steps on me," said Hooker. "But, I just kept running. We've worked so hard this year and everyone doubted us so I'm really proud of our team."
For complete results at the NCAA Championships, visit .
100 Meters
1. Marshevet Hooker, 11.16 (National Champion)
400 Meters
-- Jerrika Chapple*, 52.54 (s)
100-Meter Hurdles
6. Ashlee Williams, 13.32
400-Meter Hurdles
-- Melaine Walker*, 55.32 (s) (top qualifier)
4x100-Meter Relay
1. Texas (A. Williams, M. Walker, J. Chapple, M. Hooker), 42.87 (National Champion)
* - qualified for the final
