Aug. 7, 2015
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica -
Former San Diego State track and field standout Shanieka Thomas won the triple jump at the NACAC Senior Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica on Friday. The NACAC, which stands for the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletics Association, is comprised of 31 countries.
Thomas set a personal best and broke the meet record with a leap of 46 feet, 8 ¼ inches (14.23 meters). It also qualified her for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing later this month. Thomas, who had her best mark on her third of six attempts, beat out eight other entrants in the event, including the runner-up Ana Jose Tima of the Dominion Republic with a wind-aided mark of 46-07.50 (14.21m). In fact, Thomas was one of only two entrants who posted their best leap with a wind-legal mark.
"It was another great accomplishment for Shanieka," head coach Shelia Burrell said. "She had a great career here at San Diego State with three NCAA championships and this showing only adds to her legacy."
Thomas, who was named a semifinalist for The Women's Bowerman Trophy in 2014, which is given out to the top collegiate track and field athlete in the country, finished her Aztec career with three NCAA Championships in the triple jump (2013-14 outdoor, 2014 indoor) and two runner-up finishes (2012 outdoor, 2013 indoor), and was a seven-time USTFCCCA All-American and a nine-time MW champion. Thomas, a three-time USTFCCCA West Region Field Athlete of the Year and the defending MW Female Athlete of the Year, was undefeated in the triple jump against collegiate competition over the entire 2014 indoor and outdoor season.
2015 NACAC Senior Championships
San Jose, Costa Rica
Aug. 7-9
Triple Jump (out of 9 entrants)
1. Shanieka Thomas (Jamaica) - 46-08.25 (14.23m)