May 26, 2007
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (www.UCFAthletics.com) - Freshman LaKendra Thames (Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange HS) made her debut at the NCAA East Regional on Saturday evening, capping off a remarkable rookie season.
Thames posted a mark of 141-feet, one inch in the discus to place 22nd in the field of 30 athletes. She qualified for the regional after throwing a school record 160-3 at the Miami Elite Invitational in mid-April and also owned the team's best mark in the shot put, establishing a UCF freshman record at 46-5.25.
The top five finishers in each individual event automatically qualify for the NCAA Championships, which take place June 6-9 in Sacramento, Calif.
Thanks to her record-setting effort earlier in the season, Thames was invited to compete at the USA Track and Field Junior Nationals, which take place June 20-24 in Indianapolis, Ind.
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