Jones Adds Another All-America Award

March 15, 2003

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Junior LaVerne Jones became the first OU woman to earn All-America honors in two individual events since 1982 when she finished eighth in the 60-meter dash Saturday night at the 2003 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championship.

The last Sooner to earn double All-America honors in individual events in one championship was Felecia Moore, who doubled in the 60 and 300 meters in 1982. That year was the final one for the women to compete under the governance of the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, making Jones the first Sooner woman to accomplish the feat in NCAA competition.

Jones finished eighth in the 200 last night after setting a school record in the prelims of that event with a 23.16. Her time in prelims of the 60 last night also set a school record.

"LaVerne is such a competitor that she is extremely disappointed in her performance tonight," sprints coach Shanon Atkinson said. "We knew it was going to take at least a 7.30 to get into the top five and that's what her goal was. She just had a poor start, probably the worst first 10 meters of the season, and you don't have room to make up for a bad start in a short race like this.

"I am so proud of her. Getting to this meet has become one of the hardest things for a student-athlete to do. And when you consider how young LaVerne is as a runner (this is just her fourth year to compete in track), it's even more impressive what she was able to do last night and tonight. Becoming a two-time All-American in one meet is a lot to be proud of," Atkinson added.

"We will take some time off, give her a break from track. With the additional two weeks of the outdoor season, we are going to be very careful about what we do. It's important to get through the season, to be as strong as you can be at the end of the season for the Big 12, NCAA regional and NCAA Championship."

The Sooners finished tied for 43rd in the women's team standings. Louisiana State won the women's title, its 10th, while host team, Arkansas, won the men's title, its 17th in indoor competition.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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