Shareese Woods finished third in the U.S. and fifth in the world with her 22.97 200m dash time. |
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Woods Finishes in U.S. Top Three at Indoor 200m, Top Five in World
March 15, 2007
Charlotte, N.C. - Charlotte senior sprinter Shareese Woods continues to set records as she became the closest Charlotte competitor to a National Championship in any sport, finishing fourth in the 200m dash at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas last Friday. She earned her third All-America Award for the efforts, where she broke her own school record in the event. She finishes the Indoor track and field season with the third-fastest time in the United States this year, and fifth-fastest in the world (IAAF Link).
Woods' previous best time was 23.07 seconds in the 200m, netting her an automatic qualifying time and then school-record mark.
In the preliminaries at the Championships, five heats were run, with Woods running a 23.17 second sprint in the second of the five qualifying heats. In the finals, Woods ran in the slower of the two finals heats, but put forth another school-record time of 22.97, earning fourth place by less than one hundredth of a second. All seven finals sprinters ran sub-23 second times, creating one of the most competitive finals in the United States this season.
"Clearly, making history is by far not an easy task, and almost cannot be done alone," said Woods. "Charlotte Track and Field develops student athletes, and give the tools they need to aid in making their dreams and goals come true. I entered this national championship confident in my coaching, confident in my support from my family and teammates, and confident in my ability."
Woods earned All-America status officially on Tuesday, her second indoor All-America award. She earned All-America status at the 2006 Indoor Championships in the 400m dash.
"I'm extremely pleased with Shareese's performance this weekend as she clearly established herself amongst the top sprinters in the world over 200 meters indoors," said Niners sprint coach Tim Hall. "To be a part of what could be considered the fastest NCAA women's 200 meter finals in recent history was incredible. Shareese accomplished a time that currently ranks her 3rd in the U.S out of the slower heat in the finals which make this experience more rewarding."
"The race itself excites me because there is an endless need for improvement," said Woods. "I have yet to see the perfect race, but I'm sure it will come at the perfect time."
Woods' teammate and fellow senior, Sharonda Johnson, also earned All-America status over the weekend in the triple jump, as one of the top nine in the United States this season during the indoor season. That award goes with her 2004 outdoor All-America award, giving her a pair as well.
Woods will pursue a second outdoor All-America award, and try to better her 6th place finish in the 2006 outdoor championship.
"This is a true testament of her determination of becoming an Olympic contender in 2008," said Hall. "Shareese has set a tremendous precedent for the future of our program, and demonstrates how Charlotte will continue to develop student athletes to the highest level of NCAA competition. Her efforts have set the atmosphere for a very exciting outdoor season."
Charlotte hosts the Charlotte 49er Classic Outdoor Track and Field meet this weekend.
Charlotte 49ers Track & Field/Cross Country All-Americans
Listed chronologically with their first award
Molly Kerin, cross country (1994, 1995), 5,000m (outdoor 1995)
Kenneth Svendsen, cross country (1999)
Kelly Travis, cross country (1999)
Rephel Martin, triple jump (outdoor 2000)
Will Montgomery, long jump (outdoor 2001, 2002, indoor 2001)
Sharonda Johnson, triple jump (outdoor 2004, indoor 2007)
Cassie Ficken, 3,000m (indoor 2005)
Derrick Johnson, 60m (indoor 2005)
Shareese Woods, 400m (indoor 2006), 200m (outdoor 2006, indoor 2007)
Courtney Patterson, 100m (outdoor 2006)
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