June 9, 2007
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The San Diego State track and field team concluded its season Saturday morning with sophomore Decontee Kaye finishing in fourth place in the triple jump at the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships inside the Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex. With her effort, Kaye becomes the 35th All-American in school history.
Kaye posted a personal- and school-record leap of 44 feet, 4.25 inches to record the best individual finish at a national meet for any Aztec since 2005 when Shayla Balentine finished second in the pole vault. Prior to Saturday, Kaye's personal record was 44-0.75.
The Hayward, Calif., native saved her best jump for last and found herself in second place with two more competitors to go before being knocked down to fourth after consecutive final-round jumps by Hampton's Yvette Lewis and Michelle Vaughn of Auburn.
"Decontee put it together on her last jump, but her performance wasn't enough today," assistant coach Jennifer Nanista said. "Decontee is young and we are looking forward to her improving over the next couple of years at SDSU."
Kaye's All-American status marks the seventh straight season in which a San Diego State athlete has earned national accolades. Last year, Erin Asay was an All-American in the indoor pole vault. Kaye is also the first Aztec in school history to earn All-America honors in a jumping event.
With Kaye's fourth-place effort, she earned San Diego State five team points putting it in a tie for 46th place out of 73 schools to earn at least one point. The Aztecs' team showing is their best since 2005 when they finished 29th with nine points.
2007 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex (Sacramento, Calif.)
Team Standings (top 5 and SDSU only)
1. Arizona State - 60 points
2. LSU - 53
3. Michigan - 36
4. Texas A&M - 34
5. UCLA - 30
t46. San Diego State - 5
Triple Jump Finals (top 5)
1. Yvette Lewis (Hampton) - 45-0.50
2. Erica McLain (Stanford) - 44-10.25
3. Michelle Vaughn (Auburn) - 44-7.50
4. Decontee Kaye (SDSU) - 44-4.25 (personal- and school-record)
5. Andrea Linton (LSU) - 43-10.50