The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
NCAA Championships
Coleman, Yarbrough Advance At NCAA Outdoor Championships
6/8/2006 | Track and Field
June 8, 2006
SACREMENTO, Calif. - Sophomore John Yarbrough turned in a non-wind aided personal best time of 13.70 to advance to the finals in the men's 110-meter hurdles at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
"John has continued to improve all year," said Ole Miss head coach Joe Walker. "He has made the adjustment from a good athlete to a runner who can compete on the national level. His progression has been great."
Yarbrough turned in a time of 13.72 in the preliminaries to advance to the semifinals. Yarbrough's older brother, Linnie a senior at Middle Tennessee, also advanced to the finals with a time of 13.72.
Sophomore Kenyata Coleman recorded a personal best time of 52.92 in the prelims of the 400 meters to advance to the semifinals.
"It is difficult to have your best performance when you need it most, but that's just what Kenyata did," said Walker. "She really stepped up today. She had been having some trouble with her start, but she got a great jump."
Senior Marquita Aldridge, competing in her fourth NCAA Championships, turned in a mark of 20-03.50 in the women's long jump. Her mark placed her 17th overall and did not advance her.
"Marquita missed advancing by just one and a half inches," said Walker. "She will be missed. She is a warrior and does everything that is asked of her."
Aldridge also competed as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team. The quartet turned in a time of 44.96 and did not advance.
"We have had a problem all year with our hand-offs and it hurt us again," said Walker.
Freshman Barnabas Kirui placed 17th in the preliminaries of the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 8:52.86. Kirui had recorded a time of 8:47.85 at the NCAA Mideast Regional.
"Barnabas' inexperience hurt him today," said Walker. "He ran a great regional race, but he made some mistakes today. He tried to lead the race early and this is not the race to do that. I expect him to learn from this race and be that much better next year."
Sophomore Carmia Carroll recorded a mark of 5-08.50 in the women's high jump. She placed 18th overall.
Freshman Cachet Murray will compete in the prelims of the 100 meters today at 5:30 pm, while freshman Derek McGuire will compete in the shot put at 7:30 pm.
