June 3, 2008

IRVING, Texas - The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named its 2008 USTFCCA Outdoor Regional All-Americans.

There were 52 Conference USA student-athletes listed among the four regions. The award winners accounted for 65 All-America honors.

Topping the list was sophomore Sarah Lyons and junior Desarie Walwyn of Rice, as well as UTEP sophomore Blessing Okagbare with three regional All-American merits apiece.

Lyons competed in the 400 meters, while Walwyn ran the 100m. Both were also members of the Owls' 4x100 and 4x400m relay teams that placed among the top six in each race.

Blessing achieved All-America honors in the women's long jump and triple jump as well as the school's 4x100m relay team. Okagbare established a Midwest Regional record leap of 6.53m (21-5.25) in the long jump.

Houston's Tyrone Carrier highlighted the men's side earning two regional All-American medals in the 200 meters and as a member of the 4x100m relay team.

In addition, six females picked up two All-American medals each at last weekend's regional championships.

To be considered All-Region the student-athlete must place in the top eight of his/her respective event.

C-USA's USTFCCCA REGIONAL ALL-AMERICANS
MEN
MIDEAST REGION
Steffan Nerdal, Memphis (hammer)
Christian McDonald, Memphis (javelin)
Cornelius Duncan, Southern Miss (400m)

MIDWEST REGION
Alex Bentley, Houston (pole vault)
Tyrone Carrier, Houston (200m, 4x100m relay)
Jason Perez, Houston (400m)
Edward Turner, Houston (4x100m relay)
Steven Jones, Houston (4x100m relay)
Tremaine Smith, Houston (4x100m relay)
Jason Colwick, Rice (pole vault)
Mark Davidson, Tulsa (1500m)
Elias Koech, UTEP (800m)
Aggrey Chirchir, UTEP (800m)
Dominic Tanui, UTEP (800m)
Dimitrios Fylladitakis, UTEP (hammer)
Hans Eriksson, UTEP (hammer)
Michkael Hanany, UTEP (high jump)
Alex van der Merwe, UTEP (javelin)
Patrick Mutai, UTEP (3,000m steeplechase)

MIDEAST REGION
Susan King, Memphis (discus, shot put)
Ashley May, Southern Miss (long & triple jump)
Hana Prudilova, Southern Miss (javelin)

MIDWEST REGION
Seun Adigun, Houston (100m hurdles, 4x100m relay)
Kalyn Floyd, Houston (4x100m relay)
Adedayo Ogunniyi, Houston (4x100m relay)
Quinshundolyn McPherson, Houston (4x100m & 4x400m relays)
Candyce Cross, Houston (4x400m relay)
Kalyn Floyd, Houston (4x400m relay)
LaNeeka Allen, Houston (4x400m relay)
Chandra Ewing, Rice (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay)
Rachel Greff, Rice (pole vault)
Sarah Lyons, Rice (400m, 4x100m & 4x400m relays)
Nicole Mericle, Rice (3,000m steeplechase)
Allison Pye, Rice (5,000m)
Shakera Reece, Rice (4x100m relay)
Desarie Walwyn, Rice (100m, 4x100m & 4x400m relays)
Brittany Washington, Rice (4x100m & 4x400m relays)
Callie Wells, Rice (1,500m)
Silje Fjortoft, SMU (3,000m steeplechase)
Andrea Kvetova, SMU (javelin)
Christina Mueller, SMU (discus)
Ilyssa Pettigrew, SMU (800m)
April Montgomery, Tulsa (400m hurdles)
Halimat Ismaila, UTEP (4x100m relay)
Blessing Okagbare, UTEP (4x100m relay, long & triple jumps)
Nina Schvedoff, UTEP (hammer)
Shalaiyah Sommerville, UTEP (4x100m relay)
Nelly Tchayem, UTEP (triple jump)
Keisha Walkes, UTEP (shot put)
Quashanda Welch, UTEP (4x100m relay)
Kelly Young, UTEP (1,500m)