Lincoln boasts two All-Americans in track and field

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Lincoln women's team had two members earn all-American status after the first day of the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Nickiesha Beaumont finished fourth in the long jump Friday with a leap of 19-6, while Shakiesha Miller came in sixth in the same event, posting a mark of 19- 1/2.

The Blue Tigers also finished third in the distance medley relay, earning all-American honors with the team of Monique Thompson, Donna-Lee Hylton, Jhevere Hall and Twishana Williams (11:46.70).

With five of 17 events scored, the Blue Tigers sit in third place with 14 team points. Grand Valley State leads with 25, while Adams State is second with 20.

Among those qualifying for today's finals with their results in the preliminaries were:

• Yanique Ellington in the 200-meter dash (second, 24.22) and the 60-meter dash (fifth, 7.53)

• Thompson in the 800-meter run (fifth, 2:10.34)

• Ladonna Richards in the 60-meter hurdles (fifth, 8.44)

• Juneille Barker in the 60-meter hurdles (sixth, 8.50)

• Williams in the mile run (sixth, 4:58.53)

• Janae Johnson in the 200-meter dash (eighth, 24.57)

Failing to finish in the top eight and advance out of preliminaries were:

• Tamara Keane in the 400-meter dash (11th, 56.89) and the 200-meter dash (17th, 26.02)

• Hylton in the 200-meter dash (10th, 24.79) and the 400-meter dash (12th, 56.89)

• Johnson in the 60-meter dash (12th, 7.67)

• Miller in the 60-meter hurdles (15th, 8.70)

• Kimberly Bailey in the 60-meter dash (17th, 7.75)

There were no Lincoln men competing in finals events Friday, although there were five athletes competing in preliminary events.

Advancing to today's finals were:

• Romel Lewis in the 60-meter dash (fifth, 6.78) and the 200-meter dash (seventh, 21.83).

• Romone Hill in the 60-meter dash (eighth, 6.80).

• Michael Ashley in the 400-meter dash (eighth, 48.74).

Failing to advance out of preliminaries were:

• Ashley in the 200-meter dash (12th, 21.98).

• Jermaine Blake in the 800-meter run (14th, 1:53.70).

• Miles Green in the 400-meter dash (16th, 49.50).

Missouri S&T's Adriel Hawkins (Jefferson City High School) came in third in the prelims of the 200-meter dash (21.49) and advanced to today's final, but also finished 11th in the preliminaries of the 60-meter dash (6.83) and didn't advance.

Adams State leads the men's team race with 29 points, while Ashland is second with 23 and Grand Valley State is third with 17.5.