The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB
Conference USA Championships
Mehl Takes Pentathlon Title At C-USA Championships
2/26/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
Feb. 26, 2010
HOUSTON --- UAB junior high jumper Nora Mehl took the pentathlon title Friday during the first day of the Conference USA Indoor Track and Field Championships hosted by Houston.
Mehl provisionally qualified for the NCAA meet by scoring 3,774 points in the pentathlon. The Rottweil, Germany, native won two of the five events, and matched her NCAA provisional qualifying high jump of 1.81m (5-11.25).
This marks the second time Mehl has been a C-USA champion, the junior also took the heptathlon title at the 2009 C-USA Outdoor Championships.
"Congratulations to Nora," UAB interim head coach Kurt Thomas said. "It's a great accomplishment to be a two-time C-USA champion. Also matching her provisional qualifying high jump sets her up well for the NCAA meet."
Freshman Akira McSwain took sixth in the pentathlon with a score of 3,527 points. McSwain finished runner-up in the 60m hurdle and shot put events.
"Scoring as a freshman is great," Thomas said. "She put together a good competition and we look forward to continue to see what she can do."
Sophomore Lauren Fayen qualified for the 800m finals after running to a time of 2:15.94 in the prelims.
Junior Samantha Hamilton clocked a time of 8.64 in the 60m hurdle prelims to qualify for the finals Saturday.
Sophomore Rhiannon Johns ran to a personal-record time of 16:57.16 in the 5000m to place seventh.
"Lots of good things happened today," Thomas said. "We had a lot of people run well and we want them to learn from their experiences. I'm so proud of this team, we just have to get to work and come out strong tomorrow and in the outdoor season."
The Blazers return to action Saturday morning at 11 a.m. CT with the heptathlon. The field events are slated for 1 p.m. followed by the running events at 3 p.m.
