TURLOCK, Calif. – The Nova Southeastern University track & field team performed exceptionally well in the first day of the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships on May 27, advancing two individuals and one relay team to the finals.

Carlyle Thompson (Sr., Nassau, Bahamas), the Sharks’ only athlete to appear in consecutive national appearances, had a finals-qualifying performance in the 400-meter hurdles. Thompson finished seventh overall and third in his heat with a time of 52.26.

“Thompson ran the best race this year” said Bryan Hagopian. “He is looking very strong and we can’t wait to see what he brings to the table on Saturday.”

Representing the women in the 4x400-meter hurdles and breaking the school record was No. 10 Keisha Etienne (Sr., North Miami, Fla.) who captured a fifth place qualifying time of 1:00.12. Etienne exceeded the previous school record by 1.26 seconds.

“She raced an incredible race” said Hagopian, “ I anticipate her finishing in the top-four in the national pack.”

One of the Sharks’ nationally ranked relay teams competed today and performed exceptionally well. The nationally ranked No. 4 4x100-meter relay team of Rashida Allen (Sr., Montego Bay, Jamaica), Roberta Fisher (Jr., Orlando, Fla.), Tiffany Richardson (So., Ocala, Fla.) and Thelmarcia Williams (Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.) captured a sixth-place overall finishing time of 46.13 seconds, advancing them to the finals.

“The 4x100 looked good but not great,” Said Hagopian. “We didn’t show our full potential and come Saturday we will step it up.”

Competing in the field and the only final event of the day was Thelmarcia Williams (Jr., West Palm Beach, Fla.). Williams competed in the long jump in which she claimed 12th-place overall with a leap of 5.72-meters.

Wrapping up day-one for the Sharks’ was Allen who individually competed in the 400-meter dash in which she finished 13th overall. Allen’s finishing time of 56.63 unfortunately was not enough to qualify her for the finals but her efforts will be truly showcased in her 4x100 and 4x400-meter relay contribution.

Hagopian states “It was a great race, there was a strong amount of frontal wind but Allen battled through it and fought hard.”

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