Asumnu Advances to National Championships

Thursday, May 26

Bloomington, Ind.

All Day

Tulane University

NCAA Regionals

Gloria Asumnu will compete in the NCAA National Championships in two weeks. [Photo by Paul Riley, Indiana U. Athletics]

May 28, 2005 | Track & Field

May 28, 2005

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Tulane sophomore Gloria Asumnu took fifth place in the 200-meter dash on Saturday at the NCAA Mideast Regional Track and Field Championships at the Robert C. Haugh Track and Field Complex on the campus of Indiana University. The top five finishers in each regional event automatically qualify for the NCAA National Championships.

Asumnu posted a personal-best time of 23.56 seconds, the second-fastest 200 in school history. Senior Angel Dooley notched a time of 23.79 seconds in the same event to take seventh place. Dooley could also qualify for Nationals as the field is filled out based on top performances during the season and she notched a time of 23.61 at the Conference USA Championships. The national fields are announced on Tuesday.

"Gloria did what she needed to do today; she finished in the top five to advance," Tulane coach Heather Van Norman said. "I am really proud of her performance today; she is starting to understand her races more every time she runs them. She still has a lot to learn, but she is a student of the sport, that will make her better. She has continued to improve as the season has gone on and I think she will do great in two weeks."

"Angel was also excellent today once again," Van Norman said. "As a senior, she is has really reached her potential as well. I really hope she gets the chance to continue her career at nationals."

Also in action Saturday, junior Helmi Leppanen competed in both the javelin and the shot put. Her mark of 136 feet, one inch in the javelin placed her 15th, while she finished 21st in the shot put with a throw of 46 feet, 10 inches.

In addition, Tulane's 4x400 relay team placed 10th with a time of 3:40.40.

The NCAA National Championship is scheduled for June 8-11 at the Alex G. Spano Sports Complex in Sacramento, Calif.

Tulane Results
NCAA Mideast Regional Championship
Bloomington, Ind.

Saturday
200 Meters
Gloria Asumnu, 23.56 (5th place) - Qualifies for National Championship
Angel Dooley, 23.79 (7th place)

Shot Put
Helmi Leppanen, 14.27m, 46-10 (21st place)

Javelin Helmi Leppanen, 41.48m, 136-01 (15th place)

4x400 Relay
Beelendorf, Asumnu, Wiggins, Dooley, 3:40.40 (10th place)

Friday
100 Meters
Gloria Asumnu, 11.84 (15th place)

200 Meters
Gloria Asumnu, 23.79 (6th place) - advances to finals
Angel Dooley, 23.83 (7th place) - advances to finals

4x100 Relay
Mo, Sauls, Dooley, Asumnu, 46.16 (10th place)

Long Jump
Lissie Mo, 19-00.75, 5.81m (14th place)